Driver mutations in lung cancer

Due to an increasing comprehension of the molecular basis of carcinogenesis it has become apparent that the known forms of lung cancer so far (non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with its main subgroups adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma and small cell lung cancer (SCLC)) consist of numerous subgroups. These subgroups are characterized by molecular changes (mutations, translocations, amplifications, i.a.). Since these changes are responsible for the malignant growth of the tumor cells, they are called driver mutations. More and more of these driver mutations are discovered, allowing a targeted therapy that is more effective and better tolerated than conventional chemotherapy.

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