Abstract
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer- related death worldwide, causing over 1.2 million deaths each year. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of a group of malignancies that are pathologically and molecularly diverse but that are all characterised by a poor prognosis. Survival rates for lung cancer patients have improved very slowly and only to a modest degree owing partly to poor funding for research into this malignancy and stigma associated with smoking, as well as relative chemo-resistance. However, in recent years, NSCLC has become an exemplar for precision medicine, mainly following development of drugs targeting the receptors of epidermal growth factor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. While epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors are only applicable to a minority of patients and benefits are almost invariably short-lived, current studies indicate that at least 50% of patients with NSCLC have a targetable mutation. With a growing armamentarium of inhibitors against these targets in development, there is a hope that a greater proportion of patients will benefit from precision medicine and that such benefits will be sustained. However, there remain significant challenges in the development of precision medicine in NSCLC. These include: identification and validation of new targets; ensuring biopsies are fit for purpose; tumour heterogeneity; requirements for serial tumour assessments; and not least cost. In this review, we will discuss the current status of precision medicine in NSCLC as well as how basic and translational research are paving the way towards overcoming the above challenges. In addition, we will pay attention to clinical strategies in respect to liquid biopsies and the potential use of extracellular vesicles such as exosomes in cancer therapeutics.
Keywords: Lung cancer, NSCLC, biomarkers, liquid biopsy, exosomes.
Current Pharmaceutical Design
Title:Challenges and Strategies in Precision Medicine for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Volume: 22 Issue: 28
Author(s): Joseph J. Sacco, Hussein Al-Akhrass and Cornelia M. Wilson
Affiliation:
Keywords: Lung cancer, NSCLC, biomarkers, liquid biopsy, exosomes.
Abstract: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer- related death worldwide, causing over 1.2 million deaths each year. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) consists of a group of malignancies that are pathologically and molecularly diverse but that are all characterised by a poor prognosis. Survival rates for lung cancer patients have improved very slowly and only to a modest degree owing partly to poor funding for research into this malignancy and stigma associated with smoking, as well as relative chemo-resistance. However, in recent years, NSCLC has become an exemplar for precision medicine, mainly following development of drugs targeting the receptors of epidermal growth factor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase. While epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors are only applicable to a minority of patients and benefits are almost invariably short-lived, current studies indicate that at least 50% of patients with NSCLC have a targetable mutation. With a growing armamentarium of inhibitors against these targets in development, there is a hope that a greater proportion of patients will benefit from precision medicine and that such benefits will be sustained. However, there remain significant challenges in the development of precision medicine in NSCLC. These include: identification and validation of new targets; ensuring biopsies are fit for purpose; tumour heterogeneity; requirements for serial tumour assessments; and not least cost. In this review, we will discuss the current status of precision medicine in NSCLC as well as how basic and translational research are paving the way towards overcoming the above challenges. In addition, we will pay attention to clinical strategies in respect to liquid biopsies and the potential use of extracellular vesicles such as exosomes in cancer therapeutics.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Sacco J. Joseph, Al-Akhrass Hussein and Wilson M. Cornelia, Challenges and Strategies in Precision Medicine for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer, Current Pharmaceutical Design 2016; 22 (28) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160603014932
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666160603014932 |
Print ISSN 1381-6128 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4286 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
"Tuberculosis Prevention, Diagnosis and Drug Discovery"
The Nobel Prize-winning discoveries of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and streptomycin have enabled an appropriate diagnosis and an effective treatment of tuberculosis (TB). Since then, many newer diagnosis methods and drugs have been saving millions of lives. Despite advances in the past, TB is still a leading cause of infectious disease mortality ...read more
?Revolutionizing Cancer Treatment: Nano-Therapeutics Targeting Tumor Microenvironment?
This thematic issue explores the forefront of cancer treatment, centering on the groundbreaking potential of nano-therapeutics meticulously designed to target the tumor microenvironment. At its core, the issue aims to unravel the latest advancements in nanotechnology, showcasing innovative materials, formulations, and delivery systems that hold promise for redefining cancer therapeutics. ...read more
Current Pharmaceutical challenges in the treatment and diagnosis of neurological dysfunctions
Neurological dysfunctions (MND, ALS, MS, PD, AD, HD, ALS, Autism, OCD etc..) present significant challenges in both diagnosis and treatment, often necessitating innovative approaches and therapeutic interventions. This thematic issue aims to explore the current pharmaceutical landscape surrounding neurological disorders, shedding light on the challenges faced by researchers, clinicians, and ...read more
Emerging and re-emerging diseases
Faced with a possible endemic situation of COVID-19, the world has experienced two important phenomena, the emergence of new infectious diseases and/or the resurgence of previously eradicated infectious diseases. Furthermore, the geographic distribution of such diseases has also undergone changes. This context, in turn, may have a strong relationship with ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
- Announcements
Related Articles
-
RhoGEFs in Cell Motility: Novel Links Between Rgnef and Focal Adhesion Kinase
Current Molecular Medicine Review on Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Structure, Signaling Pathways, Interactions, and Recent Updates of EGFR Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Progress in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Aspergillosis
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews Radiolabeled Probes Targeting Tyrosine-Kinase Receptors For Personalized Medicine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Olive Oil and Cancer Risk: an Update of Epidemiological Findings through 2010
Current Pharmaceutical Design Molecular Targeting of Lymphatics for Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design Stem Cells: In Sickness and in Health
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Novel Approaches to Target Pancreatic Cancer
Current Cancer Drug Targets Serum α-1 Acid Glycoprotein is a Biomarker for the Prediction of Targeted Therapy Resistance in Advanced EGFR-positive Lung Adenocarcinoma
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Annotation of the Human Genome by High-Throughput Sequence Analysis of Naturally Occurring Proteins
Current Proteomics Recent Progress in the Development of Small Molecule c-Met Inhibitors
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Theoretical Studies on Binding and Specificity Mechanisms of Farnesyltransferase (FTase) and Geranylgeranyltransferase Type-I (GGTase-I) Inhibitors by Molecular Modeling
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Gold Nanoparticles; Potential Nanotheranostic Agent in Breast Cancer: A Comprehensive Review with Systematic Search Strategy
Current Drug Metabolism A Review on Natural Sources Derived Protein Nanoparticles as Anticancer Agents
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Biology of TRAIL and the Role of TRAIL-Based Therapeutics in Infectious Diseases
Anti-Infective Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Dendritic Cell Immunotherapy for Melanoma
Reviews on Recent Clinical Trials Viral-Mediated Gene Transfer for Cancer Treatment
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Mitochondrial DNA Mutations in Cancer: A Review
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Use of Nimesulide and Its Analogues in Cancer Chemoprevention
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry A New Antitumor Agent, (3-chloro-7-methoxyfuro[2,3-b]-quinolin-4-yl)-(4-methoxyphenyl) amine, Loaded in Solid Lipid Nanoparticles: Characterization and Pharmacokinetics
Current Nanoscience