Individualized therapy for patients with non-small cell lung cancer: emerging trends and challenges

Non-small cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Efforts to improve outcomes have led to a greater understanding of the predictive and prognostic value of histologic and molecular characteristics of individual tumors. In standard practice, biopsy specimens are examined first on a histologic level, then on a molecular level with the recognition that both histologic subtype and gene expression profile can guide treatment decisions and have a profound effect on clinical outcomes. Epidermal growth factor activation mutations were among the first biomarkers shown to have therapeutic implications, and levels of gene expression for an array of other biomarkers are being evaluated in clinical trials. Ongoing studies underscore the need to implement molecular and histologic screening as part of routine clinical practice. To achieve an integration of clinical, histologic, and molecular parameters when making treatment decisions, collaboration between oncologists and pathologists is essential.