CURRENT THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES IN NSCLC TREATMENT: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most lethal malignancies accountings for nearly 80% of all lung cancer cases diagnosed and causing over one million deaths annually worldwide. The discovery of molecular alterations including driver mutations and gene fusions has led to innovation of numerous targeted therapies, which certainly provided an edge over the classical chemotherapeutic treatment regimens and improved survival of the patients. Despite all the breakthrough innovations, the five-year survival statistics has not improved the way it was expected, pointing the challenges and limitations of currently approved diagnostic methods and therapies. This review summarizes various innovative therapies, treatment regimens developed over the last two decades for NSCLC treatment and the current challenges and limitations in the NSCLC treatment landscape.