Targeted therapy in lung cancer

Targeted therapy in lung cancer involves genetic mutations, identified by several molecular biology tests. From there, targeted drugs will be used to destroy cancer cells. Targeted treatment for lung cancer has little effect on healthy cells, so side effects are few and often mild.

Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer but it is difficult to detect early, so treatment results are also very low, leading to death for patients. Lung cancer comes from precancerous sites in the lungs. Changes in the genes of lung cells can cause the cells to grow faster.
In the early stages, the changes do not form a tumor nor cause symptoms, so the X-ray image cannot be detected, but over time, the abnormal cells have genetic changes. to get to actual cancer. In the next stages, the blood vessels around the cancer site will thrive, gradually it will form a tumor large enough to be seen on imaging tests such as X-rays, MRI. The tumor then metastasizes to other parts of the body, which is directly life-threatening because it tends to metastasize even before it can be detected on an X-ray.
There are 2 types of lung cancer:
Small cell lung cancer: This type of cancer usually accounts for about 10%, more advanced, when the cancer is detected, it has invaded and metastasized in the body. Non-small cell lung cancer: accounts for about 90%, less malignant and develops through specific stages. The main cause of lung cancer is smoking. Up to 90% of patients have lung cancer due to this cause, the rest is due to a polluted working environment, long-term exposure to radiation.
Common symptoms of lung cancer are persistent cough with shortness of breath, cough with bloody sputum and chest pain. After a period of time, the patient is tired, shallow breathing, hoarse voice, rapid weight loss, difficulty swallowing, joint pain and pleural effusion...

The mechanism of action of targeted therapy is to attack and block specific genes or proteins, which are specific molecules found in cancer cells or involved in tumor growth .
Targeted therapy in lung cancer involves genetic mutations, identified by several molecular biology tests. From there, targeted drugs will be used to destroy cancer cells. Targeted treatment for lung cancer has little effect on healthy cells, so side effects are few and often mild.
Targeted treatment in lung cancer has the advantage of helping to improve overall survival and progression-free survival as well as improve quality of life for patients. Currently, there are drug classes for target treatment in lung cancer such as:
Drugs for lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations: 1st generation (Gefitinib, Erlotinib); 2nd generation (Afatinib, Dacomitinib); 3rd generation (Osimetinib) Group of drugs for lung cancer patients with ALK mutations: Crizotinib, Ceritinib, Alectinib, Brigatinib, Lorlatinib. Drug class for lung cancer patients with ROS1 mutation: Crizotinib, Entrectinib, Ceritinib, Lorlatinib Group of monoclonal antibodies against angiogenesis: The drugs include Bevacizumab and are often combined with chemotherapy regimens or as monotherapy in treatment. maintenance treatment.

The way to prevent lung cancer is to prevent the causes of the disease. Specifically:
Do not smoke, drink alcohol and avoid environmental pollution; Have a reasonable and moderate diet, rest as well as exercise; Should screen for lung cancer and have regular health check-ups every 6 months or 1 year. Especially in people aged 55-75 years, with a history of smoking. Lung cancer screening is the most effective measure for you to detect and promptly treat lung cancer, protect your health and life. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has a lung cancer screening package with many outstanding advantages such as: A team of highly qualified and experienced doctors; Having a full range of specialized facilities for diagnosis and staging before treatment: Endoscopy, CT scan, PET-CT scan, MRI, histopathological diagnosis, genetic - cytological testing... Having a full range of mainstream cancer treatment methods: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, stem cell transplant.... will help customers screen the disease effectively and have timely treatment if detected. present illness.