Targeted therapy for lung cancer

Lung cancer is considered the number one killer among all cancers. Recent observations have altered the treatment paradigm for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The discovery of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase positivity has made personalized treatment for NSCLC more feasible. Both erlotinib and crizotinib have been shown to be effective and safe for subgroup populations, and now personalized treatment for nonsquamous NSCLC has progressed even further. New tyrosine kinase inhibitors are being tested, resistant mutations are being studied, and new detection systems are being incorporated; all these developments will make the detection and treatment of the deadliest cancer more affordable, practical, and effective. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network has already incorporated these new developments into their guidelines for advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.