Lung Cancer in the Era of Precision Oncology

Abstract

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, necessitating advancements in precision medicine. This review synthesizes current knowledge on molecular mechanisms, diagnostic innovations, and targeted therapies reshaping lung cancer management. The identification of driver mutations (EGFR, ALK, KRAS) has enabled the development of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with third-generation agents like osimertinib demonstrating superior survival benefits (median OS: 38.6 months) in EGFR-mutant NSCLC. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) facilitates comprehensive genomic profiling, matching 65% of patients to targeted therapies while detecting resistance mechanisms (e.g., EGFR T790M, MET amplification).

Despite progress, challenges persist, including tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, and drug delivery limitations. Emerging strategies such as CRISPR-based gene editing, AI-driven diagnostics, and combination therapies (e.g., TKIs + immunotherapy) show promise in preclinical models. Future directions emphasize multi-omics integration, single-cell sequencing, and cost-effective personalized approaches to address socioeconomic disparities in biomarker testing access. Ethical implementation of novel technologies, particularly germline editing, requires rigorous oversight.