Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 20, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Relevance of genetic alterations in squamous and small cell lung cancer
Joshua K Sabari1, Paul K Paik1,2
1Thoracic Oncology Service, Division of Solid Tumor Oncology, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
The precision medicine revolution has led to the development and US FDA approval of multiple targeted therapies in non-squamous non-small cell lung cancers, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting EGFR, ALK, and ROS1. However, the development of targeted therapies for squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLCs) and small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) has lagged behind and the mainstay of systemic therapy for most patients with metastatic disease remains chemotherapy; which has seen little meaningful progress over the past three decades. The ideal of precision medicine in these diseases may appear elusive; however, recent comprehensive genomic analysis of SQCLC and SCLC has led to multiple breakthroughs in our understanding of the biology of these diseases and has led to new therapeutic approaches currently under active clinical investigation. This review will focus on the therapeutic relevance of these alterations in their respective diseases and new insights into promising therapeutics currently under investigation.
Insights
Precision medicine advances target non-squamous lung cancers, but squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLCs) and small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) treatments lag. New genomic insights are driving promising therapeutic investigations for these challenging lung cancer types.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genomics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Precision medicine has yielded targeted therapies for non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), notably EGFR, ALK, and ROS1 inhibitors.
- Therapeutic development for squamous cell lung cancers (SQCLCs) and small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) has significantly lagged, with chemotherapy remaining the primary treatment for decades.
- Despite challenges, recent genomic analyses are revealing crucial biological insights into SQCLC and SCLC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the therapeutic relevance of genomic alterations in SQCLC and SCLC.
- To highlight promising new therapeutic approaches currently under clinical investigation for these lung cancer subtypes.
- To bridge the gap in precision medicine for SQCLC and SCLC.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive genomic analysis of SQCLC and SCLC.
- Review of current clinical investigations and therapeutic strategies.
- Analysis of therapeutic relevance of identified genomic alterations.
Main Results:
- Genomic breakthroughs are enhancing the understanding of SQCLC and SCLC biology.
- New therapeutic targets and strategies are emerging from these analyses.
- Several novel therapeutics are in active clinical investigation.
Conclusions:
- While progress in targeted therapies for SQCLC and SCLC has been slower, recent genomic discoveries offer new hope.
- Active clinical investigations are exploring novel therapeutic avenues based on these findings.
- Precision medicine is becoming increasingly attainable for a broader range of lung cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:11Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
01:05Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
02:53Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
01:20The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...
01:12Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...