Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancers: Current Landscape and Future Prospects
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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Xin Feng1, Wenqing Ding1, Junhong Ma1
1School of Business Administration, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
Background:
Lung cancer is the most common malignant cancer worldwide. Targeted therapies have emerged as a promising treatment strategy for lung cancers.
Objective:
To evaluate the current landscape of targets and find promising targets for future new drug discovery for lung cancers, this research identified the science-technology-clinical development pattern and mapped the interaction network of targets.
Methods:
Targets for cancers were classified into 3 groups based on a paper published in Nature. We searched for scientific pieces of literature, patent documents and clinical trials of targets in Group 1 and Group 2 for lung cancers. Then, a target-target interaction network of Group 1 was constructed, and the science-technology-clinical (S-T-C) development patterns of targets in Group 1 were identified. Finally, based on the cluster distribution and the development pattern of targets in Group 1, interactions between the targets were employed to predict potential targets in Group 2 for drug development.
Results:
The target-target interaction (TTI) network of group 1 resulted in 3 clusters with different developmental stages. The potential targets in Group 2 are divided into 3 ranks. Level-1 is the first priority and level-3 is the last. Level-1 includes 16 targets, such as STAT3, CRKL, and PTPN11, that are mostly involved in signaling transduction pathways. Level-2 and level-3 contain 8 and 6 targets, respectively, related to various biological functions.
Conclusion:
This study will provide references for drug development in lung cancers, emphasizing that priorities should be given to targets in Level-1, whose mechanisms are worth further exploration.
Insights
This study identifies key lung cancer targets for new drug discovery by analyzing target interactions and development patterns. Level-1 targets, like STAT3, are prioritized for further research and development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Lung cancer is a leading global malignancy.
- Targeted therapies offer a promising treatment avenue for lung cancers.
- Identifying novel therapeutic targets is crucial for advancing lung cancer treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To map the science-technology-clinical development patterns of lung cancer targets.
- To construct a target-target interaction network for identifying novel therapeutic candidates.
- To predict and prioritize potential targets for future lung cancer drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Classification of cancer targets into three groups.
- Literature, patent, and clinical trial searches for Group 1 and Group 2 targets.
- Construction of a target-target interaction network for Group 1 targets.
- Identification of science-technology-clinical development patterns.
- Prediction of Group 2 targets based on network analysis and development patterns.
Main Results:
- The target-target interaction network for Group 1 revealed three distinct clusters.
- Potential targets in Group 2 were ranked into three priority levels.
- Level-1 targets (16 total), including STAT3, CRKL, and PTPN11, are primarily involved in signaling pathways.
- Level-2 and Level-3 targets comprise 8 and 6 targets, respectively, involved in diverse biological functions.
Conclusions:
- This research provides a framework for lung cancer drug development.
- Prioritization of Level-1 targets is recommended for further investigation.
- The underlying mechanisms of prioritized targets warrant deeper exploration for therapeutic potential.
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