Extract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, causing 1.4 million deaths annually [1]. Patients with advanced stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are usually managed with combinations of platinum-based chemotherapy and they have poor prognosis with a median survival of 8 months [2]. Chromosomal rearrangements and gene mutations that contribute to the constant activation of kinases play a crucial role in the process of carcinogenesis. During the past decade, knowledge gained from next-generation sequencing has radically affected lung cancer management and led to targeted therapies. To this end, the discovery of missing lung cancer driving mutations together with comprehensive understanding of the molecular basis of the disease have driven the introduction of novel therapeutic agents that specifically target cancer cells. In this article, we will present the landmark studies of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4–anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4–ALK) pathways, which are the targets of the most common inhibitors that are used on everyday clinical practice.
Abstract
Landmark studies on genetic alterations underlying NSCLC have led to tailored therapies http://ow.ly/4nq0Ps
Footnotes
Support statement N.I. Kanellakis is the recipient of a short-term European Respiratory Society Fellowship. I. Psallidas is the recipient of a RESPIRE2 European Respiratory Society Fellowship (RESPIRE2 – 2015–7160).
Conflict of interest None declared.
- ©ERS 2016
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