Systemic Therapy in Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer and the Role of Biomarkers in Selection of Treatment

Increasingly, systemic treatment decisions in nonsmall cell lung cancer require the determination of predictive biomarkers on biopsy or surgical specimens. Although currently these have their major role in the advanced setting, these tumor-specific treatments are increasingly moving into earlier stage disease. As part of the multidisciplinary team managing those with nonsmall cell lung cancer, thoracic surgeons need to be aware of these biomarkers and in particular of the need for adequate biopsy specimens containing sufficient tissue to perform the necessary analyses that guide treatment selection.