Foreword

The prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains poor in spite of therapy. However, therapy is evolving with the integration of targeted agents and the identification of somatic mutations affecting responses to these therapies. With the availability of standard chemotherapy regimens, small molecule inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor and the experimental evaluation of agents targeting other pathways such as the insulin-like growth factor receptor pathway, the management and treatment choices are becoming increasing complex. There is growing hope that these newer therapies would improve quality of life and overall survival for this group of patients.

In this review, Dr. Mahalingam and coworkers provide a summary of the historical perspective, therapeutic regimens, potential targets, and experimental options currently available for the treatment of advanced NSCLC.