Treatment Response Biomarkers: Working Toward Personalized Radiotherapy for Lung Cancer

Area of Science:

• Radiation oncology
• Precision oncology
• Biomarker development

Background:

• Advances in radiation oncology enable individualized radiotherapy for lung cancer.
• Current treatment selection for radiotherapy in lung cancer needs improvement, as many patients do not benefit or receive suboptimal therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current achievements and challenges in personalized radiotherapy delivery for lung cancer.
• To highlight the need for cost-effective biomarkers to optimize lung cancer treatment selection.

Main Methods:

• This is a narrative review discussing existing literature and research findings.
• Focuses on the application of precision oncology principles to radiotherapy in lung cancer.

Main Results:

• Individualized radiotherapy treatments are increasingly available for lung cancer patients.
• A significant knowledge gap exists in identifying patients who benefit most from specific radiotherapy approaches.
• Cost-effective biomarkers are crucial for tailoring treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Personalized radiotherapy holds promise for lung cancer treatment.
• Development and implementation of robust biomarkers are essential for realizing the full potential of precision radiotherapy.
• Addressing current challenges will lead to more bespoke and effective lung cancer treatments.