The biology of lung cancer

Detailed studies of both cell lines and fresh specimens of SCLC and NSCLC have demonstrated that considerable heterogeneity exists within each tumour with respect to morphology and the expression of a range of biomarkers. While retrospective studies suggest that the presence or absence of some of of some of these markers may be of clinical importance, future trials of lung cancer should assess these markers to determine their prospective value in predicting response to therapy, survival and cure from lung cancer.