Targeted therapy refers to treatment that targets tumor-specific genetic abnormalities. The characteristics of targeted therapy are: highly targeted (only acts on harmful genes), good efficacy against tumors (tumor-specific treatment), and mild side effects (no damage to normal useful tissues and organs).
The three main targets that are currently being used in lung cancer are EGFR, ALK, and VEGF. EGFR, known as epidermal growth factor receptor in Chinese, the most prominent targeted therapeutic agents are inhibitors of small molecules that target its receptor. The commonly used ones are erlotinib, afatinib, gefitinib, etc. For tumors carrying mutations in this receptor gene, the effectiveness of receptor inhibitor therapy and survival time after the disease is controlled are much higher than traditional chemotherapy regimens. Targeted drugs in this class are aplatinib, bevacizumab, etc.
In patients with East Asian lung adenocarcinoma, especially in women and nonsmoking populations, the proportion of epidermal growth factor receptor gene mutations is higher than 50% than in other ethnic groups. Therefore, targeted drugs targeting this receptor gene mutation are of great significance to lung cancer patients in China and are the focus of research.