Identification of driver mutations in lung cancer: first step in personalized cancer

摘要: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has recently been associated with interesting molecular characteristics that have important implications in carcinogenesis and response to targeted therapies. Targeted therapies, if given a patient subpopulation enriched by the presence of relevant targets, can often abrogate signaling perpetuates progression. For instance, several alterations defined as "driver mutations," such mutations EGFR EML4-ALK fusion gene. Other key pathways also identified novel targets for treatment. These first steps towards personalized medicine represent shift management NSCLC. Indeed, NSCLC should no longer be viewed one common generic tumor but rather collection more rare diseases different biological behaviors sensitivities treatments. We are now clearly entering an era cancers, development profiling technologies assess DNA provides potential tailored medical care.