Purpose of review: We intend to highlight progress made in 2017 to lung cancer molecular nosology and application of new knowledge to treatment.
Recent findings: Studies have shown that agents targeting specific molecular defects in lung cancers such as epidermal growth factor receptor(egfr) mutations, alk or ros1 gene rearrangements, are more effective than conventional combination chemotherapy as primary treatment for various lung cancer subgroups. Identification of mechanisms of drug resistance has guided development of improved agents and effective salvage regimens. Progress in reversing tumor-induced immunosuppression has led to further improvements in response rates (RR) including some patients with prolonged durable remissions.
Summary: State-of-the-art management of patients with lung cancer requires information derived from tumor molecular analysis, obtained either directly from the tumor or from tumor-derived circulating DNA. Empiric combination chemotherapy is no longer uniformly the best available treatment for all patients. Therapeutic decisions should be guided by an understanding of molecular features of an individual patient's tumor. The future gains will likely emerge from finding optimal ways of combining targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy.