Molecular determinants of radiation response in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancers are now recognized to contain considerable heterogeneity and molecular diversity. Substantial progress has been made regarding molecular determinants of response to targeted agents in advanced lung cancer, and recent findings have revealed subsets of patients with driver mutations that respond rapidly to selective inhibitors. In addition, new approaches to disrupting DNA repair and inflammation and activation of the immune system are being explored. A key question in the field is whether therapeutic multimodality options incorporating radiation therapy can capitalize on the gains made in systemic therapy.