New developments in the treatment of squamous cell lung cancer

Abstract

Purpose of review: To highlight the recent developments in the molecular characterization of lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) and to summarize the current clinical trials of targeted agents.

Recent findings: Lung SQCC is the second-largest histological subtype of nonsmall-cell lung cancer after lung adenocarcinoma and is closely associated with tobacco smoking. Targeted therapies have been successfully used for the treatment of lung adenocarcinoma but have not been implemented in the treatment of lung SQCC to date. Both lung adenocarcinomas and SQCCs are characterized by specific somatic DNA modifications such as exonic mutations, copy-number alterations, and genomic rearrangements which are substantially different between the two subtypes. Progress in genomic characterization using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies makes it possible to investigate these somatic DNA modifications at the whole-genome level and to generate comprehensive profiles of genetic alterations. Application of NGS in lung SQCC led to a more detailed understanding of the possible targets and will identify new targeted therapeutic approaches in the near future.

Summary: In this review, we highlight the current knowledge of molecular targets, clinical trials of targeted agents, and druggable aberrations in lung SQCCs.