Targeted therapy for non‐small‐cell lung cancer: New insights into regulated cell death combined with immunotherapy

Abstract

SummaryNon‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which has a high rate of metastatic spread and drug resistance, is the most common subtype of lung cancer. Therefore, NSCLC patients have a very poor prognosis and a very low chance of survival. Human cancers are closely linked to regulated cell death (RCD), such as apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis. Currently, small‐molecule compounds targeting various types of RCD have shown potential as anticancer treatments. Moreover, RCD appears to be a specific part of the antitumor immune response; hence, the combination of RCD and immunotherapy might increase the inhibitory effect of therapy on tumor growth. In this review, we summarize small‐molecule compounds used for the treatment of NSCLC by focusing on RCD and pharmacological systems. In addition, we describe the current research status of an immunotherapy combined with an RCD‐based regimen for NSCLC, providing new ideas for targeting RCD pathways in combination with immunotherapy for patients with NSCLC in the future.