Research progress on pathogenic fusion gene in lung cancer / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

ABSTRACT

Lung cancer is one of the most harmful global diseases with high morbidity and mortality rate. As a unique kind of driver gene, the pathogenic fusion gene is a common mechanism of lung cancer. Most fusion genes are produced by chromosome rearrangement and encoding receptor tyrosine kinases, which could be potential lung cancer therapeutic targets. Since ALK was first identified in 2007, methods like FISH, IHC, RT-PCR and NGS have been intensively applied, leading to identification of multiple other lung cancer fusion genes including ROS1, RET, FGFR, NTRK1, NRG1, DNAH5 and LTK. These works broaden the spectrum of lung cancer related gene mutations, and support the customized treatment for clinical patients. For some fusion genes, corresponding kinase inhibitors have been developed with good efficacy, however, the treatment is still being challenged by several problems like drug resistance. Based on recent studies, the research development of lung cancer fusion genes will be discussed.