Key Points
• The authors of the current review highlighted therapeutic targets in NSCLC, as well as drugs that against NTRK, RET, MET or HER2 gene alterations. In the aggregate, 50% of patients harbor molecular alterations and could be candidates for targeted therapies, although each of the aforementioned genetic alterations account for only between 1% and 2% of patients.
• Between 30% and 50% of patients harbor common or rare mutations treatable with with targeted therapies.
• “Patients with molecularly targetable disease have a chance of avoiding chemotherapy in their first line treatment, and importantly, this treatment is well tolerated, giving them a chance to lead a normal family, social and professional life,” the authors wrote. “Targeted therapies are also active in the CNS and may postpone brain radiotherapy, which is especially important for younger patients. Searching for molecular aberrations and implementing targeted therapy if appropriate should be a key diagnostic approach for NSCLC patients.”