Targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: current advances and future trends

J Hematol Oncol. 2021 Jul 8;14(1):108. doi: 10.1186/s13045-021-01121-2.

Abstract

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women in the US and worldwide. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common variety accounting for 84% of the cases. For a subset of patients with actionable mutations, targeted therapy continues to provide durable responses. Advances in molecular and immunohistochemical techniques have made it possible to usher lung cancer into the era of personalized medicine, with the patient getting individualized treatment based on these markers. This review summarizes the recent advances in advanced NSCLC targeted therapy, focusing on first-in-human and early phase I/II clinical trials in patients with advanced disease. We have divided our discussion into different topics based on these agents' mechanisms of action. This article is aimed to be the most current review of available and upcoming targeted NSCLC treatment options. We will also summarize the currently available phase I/II clinical trial for NSCLC patients at the end of each section.

Keywords: Advanced NSCLC; First-in-human; Lung cancer; Phase I/II clinical trials; Targeted therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Precision Medicine
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors