Lung Cancer Biomarkers

Abstract

The molecular characterization of lung cancer has changed the classification and treatment of these tumors, becoming an essential component of pathologic diagnosis and oncologic therapy decisions. Through the recognition of novel biomarkers, such as epidermal growth factor receptor mutations and anaplastic lymphoma kinase translocations, it is possible to identify subsets of patients who benefit from targeted molecular therapies. The success of targeted anticancer therapies and new immunotherapy approaches has created a new paradigm of personalized therapy and has led to accelerated development of new drugs for lung cancer treatment. This article focuses on clinically relevant cancer biomarkers as targets for therapy and potential new targets for drug development.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Genotyping; Lung cancer; Molecular targets.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Figures

Figure 1

Representative examples of histology of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) histology and biomarker analysis using IHC. ADC tumor tissue shows positive expression for TTF-1 (nuclear), PD-L1 (membrane and cytoplasm), and ALK (cytoplasm); p40 shows negative expression. SqCC shows positive expression for p40 (nuclear) and PD-L1 (membrane and cytoplasm); p40 and ALK expression are negative (20x magnification).