Advances in the treatment of KRAS^G12C mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenic drivers in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The development of selective, covalent KRAS G12C (KRAS^G12C) inhibitors represents a breakthrough in the treatment for KRAS^G12C mutant NSCLC, but the durability of response and efficacy of these inhibitors are limited by the rapid emergence of drug resistance and their ability to only bind KRAS^G12C in the guanosine diphosphate-bound form. Importantly, co-occurring gene alterations, including KEAP1, STK11, and CDKN2A, may affect prognosis and response to therapies, including immunotherapy and KRAS^G12C inhibitors. New therapeutic approaches are needed to both delay and overcome treatment resistance. Moreover, developing KRAS inhibitors with novel mechanisms of action and alternative allele specificities is necessary to overcome emerging on-target resistance mechanisms to KRAS^G12C inhibitors. A literature search was performed using PubMed, the Food and Drug Administration website, and Google search. The inclusive dates in the literature search were between 1982 and July 2024. In this article, the authors reviewed the disease prevalence, biology and therapeutic options, including specific KRAS^G12C inhibitors and new pan-KRAS therapeutic agents for KRAS^G12C mutant NSCLC. KRAS inhibitor resistance mechanisms, treatment strategies, and multi-targeted treatment approaches are also discussed.