Different types of treatment are available for lung cancer, depending on the subtype. Ten types of standard treatment exist: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, laser therapy, photodynamic therapy (PDT), cryosurgery, electrocautery, careful observation, insertion of an endoprosthesis.
Different types of treatment are being investigated in clinical trials
IMMUNOTHERAPY for lung cancer
Despite recent advances in treatment of other types of cancer with immunotherapy
, until recently lung cancer was considered an immuno-resistant tumor. However, recently Opdivo® was approved for treatment of certain subtypes of lung cancer.
PERSONALIZED TREATMENT for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
NSCLC can be classified into different subtypes according to the genetic alterations that drive tumor growth. For two of those genetic alterations, highly effective oral drugs are available:
• Firstly, mutations in the EGFR gene predict response to targeted therapy
with drugs that inhibit tyrosine kinase of EGFR (Iressa® / Taceva®). Several studies (including the EURTAC trial
designed by Dr. Rafael Rosell) have shown that NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations in tumor tissue have better survival and good quality of life with these treatments.
• Secondly, between 2-7% of NSCLC patients have a genetic alteration consisting of a reorganization and fusion of two fragments of chromosome 2 (ALK and EML4). Treatment with the oral drug Crizotinib® inhibits this alteration
, prolonging survival for these patients.
These orally-administered drugs are highly specific and with less side effects than conventional chemotherapy.