Objectives: To provide a review of the biology of lung tumor development and progression, and advances in gene and antimetastatic therapies.
Data sources: Review articles, research studies, and book chapters pertaining to the biology of lung cancer.
Conclusion: Advances in understanding the molecular basis of lung cancer initiation, promotion, and progression will provide more effective methods of early detection and treatment of this disease. Promising new treatment methods based on tumor biology include gene therapies, antibodies against growth factors, and agents that prevent angiogenesis and tissue invasion.
Implications for nursing practice: An understanding of the biology of cancer assists nurses with the development of protocols for the assessment and monitoring of patients receiving treatments based on cancer biology. Oncology nurses will assume important counseling roles with the development of genetic testing and prognostic markers.