Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a growing concern worldwide, and its incidence continues to increase in developing countries. It has a strong association with smoking. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in most industrialized countries and in the United States. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advancements in the understanding of molecular oncogenes and how they play a role in driving lung cancer to both grow and metastasize. Understanding this rapidly expanding field has the potential to extend life, and it is an important field for all providers to conceptualize if they are treating patients with lung cancer. Currently, > 50% of all NSCLC is linked to 1 of several known genetic driver mutations. Using online databases, expert opinion, and practice-changing trials, we review the current standards of molecular testing of NSCLC and the expanding evidence of oncogenic drivers in nonsquamous NSCLC.
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / diagnostic imaging
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Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
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Adenocarcinoma / genetics
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / diagnostic imaging
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
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Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
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ErbB Receptors / genetics
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Humans
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Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
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Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Lung Neoplasms / genetics
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Molecular Targeted Therapy*
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / drug effects
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
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Proto-Oncogenes / drug effects*
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Proto-Oncogenes / genetics
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Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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ras Proteins / drug effects
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ras Proteins / genetics
Substances
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KRAS protein, human
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins
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ErbB Receptors
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
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Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
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ras Proteins