Oncogene addicted non-small-cell lung cancer: current standard and hot topics

Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide. Activating mutations in the EGFR and rearrangements in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) or ROS proto-oncogene 1 receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) genes have been identified as oncogenic drivers in non-small-cell lung cancer. Development of specific small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors, able to interfere with tumor growth and metastatic spread, dramatically changed the natural history of oncogene-addicted non-small-cell lung cancer. However, despite advances in targeted therapies, all patients inevitably develop acquired resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Novel promising and effective treatments are under investigations.