Targeting non-small cell lung cancer: Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies (Review)

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Cancer Therapeutics

Background:

• Significant progress in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment over 20 years.
• Development of targeted therapies and immunotherapies has shown clinical benefits.
• Key molecular targets include epidermal growth factor receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase, Kirsten rat sarcoma, and tumor protein 53.
• Immune checkpoints like programmed cell death protein-1/programmed cell death ligand-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in NSCLC treatment and molecular mechanisms.
• To highlight challenges in overcoming primary or acquired drug resistance.
• To emphasize the need for novel therapeutic strategies for patients with poor prognoses, such as those with LKB1 mutations.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent advances in NSCLC treatment.
• Analysis of molecular targets and signaling pathways involved in NSCLC progression.
• Examination of drug resistance mechanisms and their association with specific gene mutations.
• Discussion of the impact of LKB1 mutations on treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Despite advances, overall survival rates for NSCLC patients remain low due to drug resistance.
• Aberrant signaling pathways are strongly associated with treatment resistance.
• Patients with advanced NSCLC, non-druggable targets, or lack of immune response have a poor prognosis.
• LKB1 mutations significantly impact cellular metabolism and the tumor immune microenvironment, limiting therapeutic benefits.

Conclusions:

• Novel therapeutic approaches are essential to improve outcomes for NSCLC patients.
• Targeting LKB1 and understanding its role in metabolism and immunity could lead to new treatment strategies.
• Further research is warranted to develop more effective treatments for NSCLC, particularly for resistant cases.