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Molecular Targeted Therapy of Lung Cancer

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Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer

Part of the book series: Molecular Pathology Library ((MPLB,volume 6))

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Abstract

The traditional chemotherapy agents used in treatment of advanced lung cancer resulted in only slight improvement of overall survival. Novel agents that target specific signaling molecules of cellular growth pathways have emerged as a new treatment approach to non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in the last decade. A major accomplishment in the treatment of advanced lung cancer was the discovery of tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor. Patients’ responses to these therapies are variable and testing for predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response is becoming an important part of the diagnostic workup. The second most widely recognized drugable target in lung adenocarcinoma is EML4-ALK rearrangement. The number of targeted anticancer agents in NSCLC at various stages of clinical development is increasing. Other gene alterations that play an important role in adenocarcinoma development have been identified and new targeted therapies against MET, BRAF, PIK3CA, and under targets are under development. Most of the targeted agents have effect on adenocarcinoma, whereas experiences with targeted therapies in other types of non-small cell carcinomas are limited. The major lesson learned from early clinical trials is that targeted therapies show the best efficacy in selected group of patients with specific molecular alterations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, 200 Lothrop Street, PUH C608, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Sanja Dacic MD, PhD

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  1. Sanja Dacic MD, PhD
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Correspondence to Sanja Dacic MD, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Department of Pathology, The Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin Street, Houston, 77030, Texas, USA

    Philip T. Cagle

  2. Health Science Center at Tyler, Department of Pathology, The University of Texas, 11937 US Highway 271, Tyler, 75708, Texas, USA

    Timothy Craig Allen

  3. , Department of Pathology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, 10029, New York, USA

    Mary Beth Beasley

  4. , Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, 02115, Massachusetts, USA

    Lucian R. Chirieac

  5. Medical Center, Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St. - PUH C608, Pittsburgh, 15213, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sanja Dacic

  6. Medical Center, Department of Pathology &, Columbia University, 630 W. 168th Street VC-14-215, New York, 10032, New York, USA

    Alain C. Borczuk

  7. Medical School, Department of Pathology, Aberdeen University, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom

    Keith M. Kerr

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Dacic, S. (2012). Molecular Targeted Therapy of Lung Cancer. In: Cagle, P., et al. Molecular Pathology of Lung Cancer. Molecular Pathology Library, vol 6. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3197-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3197-8_10

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