Biomarkers for Selection of Therapy for Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

J Oncol Pract. 2017 Apr;13(4):221-227. doi: 10.1200/JOP.2016.019182.

Abstract

To suggest that the discovery of targetable driver mutations in many patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung has completely transformed the work-up and therapeutic options for this disease would not be hyperbole. Although not curative, small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors directed at oncogene-addicted tumors have led to significantly improved response rates compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy, with often manageable toxicities and better tolerance. However, the absence of reliable clinical predictors has made molecular testing essential to ensure that patients receive the proper medical management. We outline the many recent advances with regard to diagnosis and treatment of oncogene-addicted advanced nonsquamous non-small-cell lung cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adenocarcinoma of Lung
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • Biomarkers, Tumor*
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Lung Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy
  • Mutation*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / metabolism
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • ROS1 protein, human
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)