Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Brain Metastasis: The Link between Molecular Mechanisms and Novel Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

The prognosis of patients suffering from non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) worsens significantly when brain metastasis occurs. Seeding to the brain usually happens relatively early in the course of disease and therefore, new therapies anticipating this complication would result in considerable improvement in outcomes. In this review, we address recent molecular data of NSCLC with a focus on the risk of the formation of brain metastasis. Included is new data on the involvement of miRNAs and lncRNAs in the rise of the cerebral seeding of NSCLC. We summarize novel therapeutic approaches developed in the light of these recent molecular discoveries.