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Established, emerging and elusive molecular targets in the treatment of lung cancer

Jean-Nicolas Gallant1, Christine M Lovly2

  • 1Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.

The Journal of Pathology
|January 19, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Lung cancer is increasingly viewed as a genetic disease, shifting treatment focus to molecular targets. This review covers established, emerging, and elusive molecular targets for lung cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Histological subtype traditionally dictates lung cancer classification and treatment.
  • Growing evidence highlights the genetic basis of lung cancer, necessitating molecular reclassification.
  • Understanding molecular drivers is crucial for personalized lung cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review established, emerging, and elusive molecular targets in lung cancer treatment.
  • To synthesize current literature on the discovery and therapeutic inhibition of these targets.
  • To discuss the evolving landscape of molecularly-driven lung cancer therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature synthesis and review of established and emerging molecular targets.
  • Discussion of genetic mutations (e.g., EGFR, ALK, ROS1, MET, RET, NTRK, TP53, KRAS, MYC) and their therapeutic implications.
  • Analysis of programmed cell death 1/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) in immunotherapy.

Main Results:

  • Identified key molecular targets including EGFR, ALK, ROS1, PD-1/PD-L1, MET, RET, and NTRK.
  • Highlighted the significance of 'elusive' targets like TP53, KRAS, and MYC.
  • Summarized the progress in developing targeted therapies and immunotherapies for lung cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Lung cancer treatment is transitioning towards a molecularly-driven approach.
  • Targeted therapies and immunotherapies offer promising avenues for improved patient outcomes.
  • Continued research into molecular targets is essential for advancing lung cancer care.
Keywords:
ALKEGFRPD-1PD-L1lung cancerprecision medicinetargeted therapy

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