Molecular targeted therapy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer: will it increase the cure rate?

Lung Cancer. 2014 May;84(2):97-100. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2014.01.018. Epub 2014 Jan 30.

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases, with a world-wide annual incidence of around 1.3 million. Surgery remains the corner stone of treatment in early-stage NSCLC when feasible, and the addition of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy has improved these results in resected NSCLC patients. For those patients with non-metastatic NSCLC not suitable for complete surgical resection, chemotherapy plus radiotherapy remains the best treatment option. For patients with metastatic NSCLC, molecular targeted agents have become part of the therapeutic arsenal in recent years. However, to date no targeted agent has been approved for patients with early or locally-advanced stages of NSCLC. Here, we review the rationale, literature and studies addressing the role of targeted agents used in the adjuvant setting or as part of chemoradiotherapy regimens.

Keywords: Early-stage; Locally-advanced stage; Non-small cell lung cancer; Targeted therapies.

Publication types

  • Editorial
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / enzymology
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / enzymology
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors