Lung cancer remains the most common fatal malignancy in the
Western world. Survival rates have only improved modestly over the past three
decades and new approaches are urgently required. It is clear that a concerted
effort to reduce cigarette smoking is required. However, about 10% of patients
with lung cancer are never smokers, indicating genetic or other predisposition.
Lung cancer screening programmes are being trialled to target high-risk
populations. Genetic strategies will provide new methods for screening and
predicting response to treatment. Current therapy for lung cancer has reached a
plateau and novel agents have shown modest clinical efficacy. Understanding the
mechanisms by which chronic inflammatory disorders such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease contribute to lung cancer development will help to identify
new biological targets and biomarkers of early disease. This review focuses on
recent advances in lung cancer prevention and treatment.
