Targeting non‑small cell lung cancer:&nbsp;Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies (Review)

Luo,Ying; Yin,Guofang; Luo,Xiaoqin; Liu,Yue; Jin,Kaiyu; Wang,Zhiguo

doi:10.3892/ol.2026.15663

July-2026 Volume 32 Issue 1

Full Size Image

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

Publishes open-access research on using epigenetics to advance understanding and treatment of human disease.

Medicine International

An International Open Access Journal Devoted to General Medicine.

July-2026 Volume 32 Issue 1

Full Size Image

Review Open Access

Targeting non‑small cell lung cancer: Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies (Review)

Authors:
- Ying Luo
- Guofang Yin
- Xiaoqin Luo
- Yue Liu
- Kaiyu Jin
- Zhiguo Wang
View Affiliations / Copyright

Affiliations: Department of Respiratory Disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Jiang An County, Yibin, Sichuan 644200, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory Disease, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Jiang An County, Yibin, Sichuan 644200, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, P.R. China, Department of Respiratory Disease, People's Hospital of Xu Yong County, Luzhou, Sichuan 646400, P.R. China

Copyright: © Luo et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
Article Number: 308
|
Published online on: May 20, 2026

https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2026.15663
Expand metrics +

Abstract

Over the past two decades, notable advances have been made in the treatment of non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as well as in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms and the development of novel therapeutics (for example, targeted therapy and immunotherapy), whose clinical benefits have been documented. The epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase are well‑known tumor targets; both can promote tumor growth through PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Other oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes such as Kirsten rat sarcoma and tumor protein 53 have also been investigated. The notable immune checkpoints are programmed cell death protein‑1/programmed cell death ligand‑1 and cytotoxic T‑lymphocyte‑associated protein 4. However, the overall survival rate of patients with NSCLC is still low due to primary or acquired drug resistance, which is associated with abnormal signaling pathways. In particular, patients with advanced disease who have non‑druggable targets or lack an immune response have a poor prognosis, such as the mutation of serine/threonine kinase 11, also known as liver kinase B1 (LKB1). LKB1 impacts cellular energy metabolism and the tumor immune microenvironment, resulting in little benefit from current therapies. Therefore, further research into more effective treatments is warranted to potentially improve the outcomes of patients with NSCLC in the future.

Journals

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Oncology

Molecular Medicine Reports

Oncology Reports

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Oncology Letters

Biomedical Reports

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

World Academy of Sciences Journal

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Epigenetics

Medicine International

Targeting non‑small cell lung cancer: Molecular mechanisms and clinical studies (Review)

This article is mentioned in:

Abstract

Related Articles