Personalized treatment in non-small cell lung cancer: From diagnostics to therapy

Abstract

Molecular targeted treatment, with broadening opportunities, plays an important role in the management of lung cancer patients, which renders molecular mapping of the tumor tissue crucial. In case of cytotoxic chemotherapy, there is no patient selection according to tissue biomarkers; however, there are expanding results that might help oncologists to use personalized chemotherapy in the near future. This may be of great importance when patients' age, performance status and/or co-morbidity make the applicability of chemotherapy uncertain. Nowadays, molecular targeted treatment gives hope mainly for patients with adenocarcinoma; however, promising therapeutic targets have already been outlined due to intensive research. In these days, we are experiencing a turbulent era of onco-pulmonology, which - despite all difficulties - gives hope for both patients and clinicians.