Non-small-cell lung cancer-associated gene mutations and inhibitors

Abstract

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer worldwide with tobacco being the largest external cause of the disease. Lung cancer is broadly classified into Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) and Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Depending on the stage of lung cancer, various treatment approaches such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and targeted therapy are in the application. Mutation in Epithelial Growth Factor receptors is a major cause of NSCLC. Variation in downstream genes of EGFR and genes of parallel pathways contributes to NSCLC. The gene that drives tumorigenesis in NSCLC is linked to various pathways like EGRF, ALK, BRAF, MET, ROS1, and RET. This review is an attempt to present a concise view of the reported genetic perturbations behind NSCLC and the approved therapeutic molecules against the disease.