The Biology of Lung Cancer: Development of More Effective Methods for Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Clin Chest Med. 2020 Mar;41(1):25-38. doi: 10.1016/j.ccm.2019.10.003.

Abstract

Lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease with abundant genomic alterations. Chronic dysregulated airway inflammation facilitates lung tumorigenesis. In contrast, antitumor host immune responses apply continuous selective pressure on the tumor cells during the evolutionary course of the disease. Unprecedented advances in integrative genomic, epigenomic, and cellular profiling of lung cancer and the tumor microenvironment are enhancing the understanding of pulmonary tumorigenesis. This understanding in turn has led to advancements in lung cancer prevention and early detection strategies, and the development of effective targeted therapies and immunotherapies with survival benefit in selected patients.

Keywords: Biology of lung cancer; Genomic alterations; Immunotherapy; Lung cancer early detection; Lung cancer prevention; NSCLC and SCLC; Targeted therapy; Tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Lung Neoplasms / therapy*