Before 2000, lung cancer had a very high mortality rate, with limited treatment options and a 1-year survival rate of only 33% for advanced cases. However, through EGFR, lung cancer survival rates have dramatically improved. The approval of EGFR-targeted therapy in 2003 and the discovery of EGFR gene mutations in 2004 spurred the search for other mutations. Over the past 20 years, targeted therapies have dramatically increased survival rates, with some patients now living over 50 months. Biomarker testing is now standard in lung cancer care, and new studies like the CROWN and LAURA trials, presented at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting, promise further advancements for patients with challenging metastatic disease.
The discovery of other actionable mutations, including ALK and ROS1, led to the development of additional targeted therapies, transforming lung cancer treatment into a precision medicine approach. Today, treatment decisions are based on a patient’s specific genetic profile, allowing for more effective and tailored therapies. This has not only improved survival but also reduced side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.
As research continues, lung cancer treatment evolves, with ongoing trials focused on improving outcomes for patients with metastatic disease. New drug combinations, including targeted therapies and immunotherapies, are providing hope for even those with the most difficult-to-treat cancers.1
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References
- Lancet, N. (2024). Lung cancer treatment: 20 years of progress. The Lancet, 403(10445), 2663. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(24)01299-6
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