Editorial
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World J Clin Oncol. May 10, 2013; 4(2): 29-42
Published online May 10, 2013. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v4.i2.29
Molecularly targeted therapies for advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma
Soley Bayraktar, Caio M Rocha-Lima
Soley Bayraktar, Departments of Medical Oncology, Mercy Cancer Center, Ardmore, OK 73401, United States
Caio M Rocha-Lima, University of Miami and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, FL 33124, United States
Author contributions: Both authors contributed equally to this work.
Correspondence to: Soley Bayraktar, MD, MBA, Departments of Medical Oncology, Mercy Cancer Center, 1220 Hall street, Ardmore, OK 73401, United States. soley.bayraktar@mercy.net
Telephone: +1-580-5042781 Fax: +1-580-2206118
Received: March 7, 2013
Revised: April 9, 2013
Accepted: April 17, 2013
Published online: May 10, 2013
Processing time: 73 Days and 17 Hours
Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the United States. Platinum-based doublet chemotherapy has been a standard for patients with advanced stage disease. Improvements in overall survival and quality of life have been modest. Improved knowledge of the aberrant molecular signaling pathways found in NSCLC has led to the development of biomarkers with associated targeted therapeutics, thus changing the treatment paradigm for many NSCLC patients. In this review, we present a summary of many of the currently investigated biologic targets in NSCLC, discuss their current clinical trial status, and also discuss the potential for development of other targeted agents.

Keywords: Non-small cell lung cancer; Molecular targeted therapy; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Epidermal growth factor receptor; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors; BRAF; Anaplastic lymphoma kinase

Core tip: Targetable molecular abnormalities have not yet been identified in approximately 80% of non-small-cell lung cancer patients. In addition to anaplastic lymphoma kinase, epidermal growth factor receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor targeted therapies, the results from ongoing trials will determine if the newer targeted agents will be incorporated into clinical practice.