Currently, clinical treatment for lung cancer focuses on local and metastatic control, so targeted therapy has gradually developed into the main means of treatment for non-small cell lung cancer. What is molecular targeted therapy? What issues should lung cancer patients pay attention to when undergoing targeted therapy? What are the preferred molecular targeted drugs currently used to treat lung cancer? 1.What is molecular targeted therapy? Molecular targeted therapy refers to targeting the key macromolecules in the process of tumor occurrence and development to control the gene expression and change the biological behavior of tumor cells by specifically blocking their signaling, or to inhibit the growth and reproduction of tumor cells by preventing tumor angiogenesis, thus playing an anti-tumor role. 2.What are the advantages of molecular targeting therapy? Firstly, it is target specific and has mild toxic side effects. Molecular targeted drugs generally only target the mutated sites, which is less harmful to normal cells and does not affect the function of gastrointestinal tract and hematopoietic function like chemotherapy, which is more tolerable to patients. Secondly, it is easy to operate. At present, many targeted cancer drugs can be administered orally, which means that patients can receive treatment at home and do not have to go to the hospital every now and then. Finally, the treatment effect is good. According to the statistics of the authority, the efficiency of lung cancer treatment with molecular targeted drugs such as gefitinib can reach 90%, which is significantly higher than the efficiency of chemotherapy. 3.What are the preferred targeted drugs for lung cancer? Previously, the world’s most recognized molecular targeted drug for lung cancer with significant efficacy was gefitinib tablets. Gefitinib is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with sensitive mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, and also for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC that has received previous chemotherapy or is not suitable for chemotherapy, and is a clinically effective and urgently needed drug. 4.How long do molecular targeted drugs need to be taken? There is no uniform standard for the course of targeted therapy, but if advanced lung cancer patients have improved or stabilized after taking targeted drugs, it is recommended that they should take them for a long time, unless their disease progresses or serious side effects occur. In addition, patients should have a review once in 2 months to determine whether the drug is effective for them. 5.What are the side effects of targeted drugs? After taking targeted drugs, lung cancer patients may experience adverse reactions such as diarrhea, indigestion, constipation, nausea, rash, vomiting, etc. These symptoms are usually seen within one month after taking the drugs and are usually reversible. A very small percentage of patients will develop interstitial lung disease during the drug administration, and the drug should be discontinued as soon as the diagnosis is confirmed. 6.Can I take TCM adjuvant therapy during the targeted therapy period? In principle, targeted therapy can be used in combination with traditional Chinese medicine. Many doctors found in clinical practice that Chinese medicine can alleviate some side effects of targeted therapy and may play a synergistic anti-cancer role. However, it should be repeatedly emphasized that if lung cancer patients want to take traditional Chinese medicine in combination with targeted therapy, they must consult their primary care physicians beforehand and take the medicine under the guidance of the physicians, rather than taking the medicine secretly in private to avoid serious consequences. As the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality rate, lung cancer is unsettling just by the sound of it. However, with the continuous development of medical treatment and the emergence of effective molecular targeted drugs such as Irico, it is believed that lung cancer patients will see more light in the treatment process and their survival time and quality of life will be greatly improved!