Receptor tyrosine kinase alterations and therapeutic opportunities in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung

Purpose Targeted therapy has greatly improved the treatment for adenocarcinoma of the lung, but not squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the lung. The current paper describes the abnormalities of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) in lung SCC in a hope to stimulate the development of therapeutics that can have clinical impact. Methods We reviewed both clinical and preclinical studies published in English regarding RTK abnormalities and/or RTK-targeting treatment for SCC of the lung. Results RTK alterations have been demonstrated as biological signature for SCC of the lung. A number of clinical trials of RTK-targeting therapy have been carried out or are ongoing, with encouraging results. Conclusions SCC of the lung should be treated as an independent disease with unique treatment options based on molecular changes, particularly RTK.