[Medical Q&A] Which lung cancer patients are suitable for targeted therapy?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Zhou Xin, Chief Physician, First People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

Targeted therapy in medicine, as the name implies, is like shooting a target, accurately locking on cancer cells and then killing them. Targeted therapy is a major breakthrough in the treatment of lung cancer in the past 10 years. Patients who can use this treatment method often have a higher quality of life and a longer average survival period. However, targeted therapy is not suitable for all lung cancer patients.

After being diagnosed with lung cancer, the doctor will tell the patient what type of lung cancer it is, such as small cell lung cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, etc. At present, the application effect of targeted therapy drugs in non-small cell lung cancer is more obvious, and it is for patients with specific gene mutations, or it can be understood that the cancer cells of these patients carry sensitive gene mutation targets. Through genetic testing, you can clarify your own gene mutation type, such as EGFR mutation, ALK fusion, ROS1 fusion, etc. The commonly used targeted drugs in clinical practice are specially developed for one of these gene mutations, such as osimertinib for EGFR mutation, lorlatinib for ALK fusion, and crizotinib for ROS1 fusion. During the use of targeted drugs, imaging examinations can be used to evaluate the shrinkage of the tumor, and the efficacy of the drug can be detected by monitoring tumor markers in the blood. Long-term use of targeted drugs may lead to drug resistance. If this happens, you can consider replacing other targeted drugs. Regularly evaluating the efficacy of targeted drugs and monitoring patients' drug resistance can adjust the treatment plan in time, effectively prolong the patient's survival, and improve the patient's quality of life.