Advances in chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Importance of the field: Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world today, in terms of both incidence and mortality. Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers diagnosis, and the majority of people diagnosed with NSCLC have advanced disease. Areas covered in this review: In this review the main advances achieved in the medical treatment of advanced NSCLC are discussed, regarding both targeted therapies and chemotherapy. Among targeted therapies, recent data on the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody bevacizumab and the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosyne kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) gefitinib and erlotinib are described. Among chemotherapeutic agents, the role of pemetrexed is discussed. What the reader will gain: The reader will gain up-to-date information on the main advances, achieved in the last 3 years in the medical treatment of advanced NSCLC. Take home message: Some recent advances have changed the face of the first-line chemotherapy of advanced NSCLC, giving physicians more options to tailor choice in this challenging setting.