Targeted therapy of lung cancer
Primary lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the world. In most cases when diagnosed, it is in the stage requiring chemotherapy. Non-small cell lung cancer represents 80% of all lung cancers. The standard method used for care and treatment was based on implementing dual platinum-based chemotherapy with relatively modest results. Recently a series of genetic alterations in tumor cells were identified resulting in the development of so-called targeted therapy, starting an era of adapting therapy to the characteristics of the tumor. Today the most important genetic alterations are mutations of genes for EFGR (epidermal growth factor receptor) and ALK translocations, for which specific drugs were developed: erlotinib, gefitinib and crizotinib. Specific drugs for other types of genetic alterations are currently in the clinical developmental phase. This type of therapy brings a new concept to treating lung carcinoma based on the genetic signature, whilst being aware of acquired alterations and development of resistance. This brings new diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to clinicians and oncologists.
Key words:
anaplastic lymphoma kinase; epidermal growth factor receptor; lung cancer; targeted therapy
OGLASI
