Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2025

Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
Published on: July 5, 2019
Oncogenic Fusions in NSCLC: From Mechanisms to Clinical Applications
Nyein Wint Yee Theik1, Suset Almuinas De Armas1, Daniel Rosas2
1Memorial Healthcare System, Internal Medicine Residency Program, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028, USA.
Targeted therapies like tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) show promise for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) driven by genetic fusions (ALK, ROS1, RET, NTRK). Research continues to address challenges like acquired mutations for improved NSCLC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is frequently driven by genetic alterations.
- Oncogenic fusions, including ALK, ROS1, RET, and NTRK, play a crucial role in NSCLC tumorigenesis.
- Chromosomal rearrangements leading to these fusions are key oncogenic drivers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of oncogenic fusions in NSCLC.
- To discuss the impact of targeted therapies, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), on NSCLC treatment.
- To highlight challenges and future research directions in NSCLC therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on NSCLC genetic alterations and targeted therapies.
- Analysis of common oncogenic fusions and their signaling pathways.
- Evaluation of the efficacy and challenges of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
Main Results:
- Oncogenic fusions are significant drivers in NSCLC, involving pathways like ALK, ROS1, RET, and NTRK.
- Targeted therapies (TKIs) offer improved efficacy and tolerability over traditional chemotherapy for NSCLC patients.
- Acquired mutations present a challenge, necessitating ongoing research for optimized NSCLC treatments.
Conclusions:
- Targeted therapies targeting specific genetic fusions have transformed NSCLC treatment.
- Understanding molecular drivers like oncogenic fusions is critical for personalized medicine in NSCLC.
- Continued research is essential to overcome resistance mechanisms and improve long-term outcomes for NSCLC patients.
More Related Videos
09:58Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
07:59Author Spotlight: Advancements in Molecular Biomarker Testing for Non-Squamous Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Published on: September 8, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
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...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Abnormal Proliferation
Cancer-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...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...