Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 85-90 percent of all lung cancers and is the most common cause of cancer death. The first day of ASCO 2014, “50 Years of Lung Cancer,” featured Professor Martin J. Edelman of the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, who provided a review of the advances in systemic therapy for non-small cell lung cancer over the past 50 years. The presentation began with a case of a 52-year-old white male with lung cancer, followed by a presentation on the development and current status of chemotherapy, particularly platinum-based chemotherapy. The efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy is evident, not only in improving the cure rate of early-stage NSCLC in adjuvant therapy and multidisciplinary collaboration, but also playing a role in improving the quality of life and prolonging the survival of patients with advanced NSCLC. Professor Edelman also reviewed the research progress of targeted therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Targeted therapies have evolved rapidly over the past 10 years, and today targeted therapies such as the anti-VEGF agent bevacizumab and anti-EGFR are being evaluated in studies for their efficacy in early-stage non-small cell lung cancer. Professor Edelman highlighted the following aspects: 1. platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for lymph node-positive non-small cell lung cancer, especially when the tumor size is ≥4 cm. 2. For appropriate locally advanced (stage III) non-small cell lung cancer, concurrent radiotherapy is the standard of care. 3.For appropriate (PS 0-1) progressive stage (stage IV) non-small cell lung cancer and without genetic mutations, platinum-containing two-drug chemotherapy is the standard treatment, which can not only prolong survival but also improve quality of life; for advanced non-small cell lung cancer with characteristic genetic mutations, targeted targeted drugs can prolong progression-free survival. 4, In advanced non-small cell lung cancer, obtaining information on histological type (squamous or non-squamous) and molecular markers (EGFR, ALK, ROS, RET, etc.) is important for treatment decision. 5. Immunotherapy has a bright future in non-small cell lung cancer. In his outlook for the next 50 years, Professor Edelman suggested that a combination of reducing tobacco abuse and using effective screening strategies with improved systemic therapy is needed to show promise for significantly reducing the incidence and mortality of non-small cell lung cancer. Professor Edelman concluded that the past 50 years have seen significant advances in the effectiveness of treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer, significantly improving the quality of life and extending the lives of patients. However, overall, the benefits to patients have not been sufficient and cancer remains a serious threat to patients’ lives. Advances in biology and refinements in clinical trial design will allow us to make even more progress in the next 10 years. The future is bound to be brighter in the next 50 years!