What are the specific drugs for late stage lung cancer?
In recent years, the incidence of lung cancer has increased year by year, especially the treatment of advanced lung cancer has become the focus of attention of the medical community and patients. Although the cure rate of late-stage lung cancer is low, with the advancement of medical technology, more and more specific drugs and treatments have brought hope to patients. This article will discuss specific drugs for late-stage lung cancer and provide readers with structured data and analysis based on recent hot topics and hot content.
1. Current status of treatment for advanced lung cancer

Late-stage lung cancer usually means the tumor has spread to other organs or lymph nodes, making surgical removal less likely. At this time, the goals of treatment are mainly to prolong survival, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life. At present, the treatments for advanced lung cancer mainly include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and palliative care.
2. Special drugs for late stage lung cancer
The following are the specific drugs and their mechanisms of action that have performed well in the treatment of advanced lung cancer in recent years:
| Drug name | Mechanism of action | Applicable people | Common side effects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osimertinib | EGFR inhibitors, targeting T790M mutation | EGFR mutation-positive patients | Rash, diarrhea, interstitial pneumonia |
| Pembrolizumab | PD-1 inhibitors, activate the immune system | Patients with high PD-L1 expression | Fatigue, rash, immune-related adverse reactions |
| Alectinib | ALK inhibitors, targeting ALK rearrangements | ALK positive patients | Abnormal liver function, muscle pain |
| Bevacizumab | Anti-angiogenic drugs that inhibit tumor blood supply | non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer | High blood pressure, bleeding risk |
3. Recent hot topics: new developments in lung cancer treatment
1.Immune combination therapy becomes a trend: Recent studies have shown that the combination of immunotherapy and chemotherapy or targeted therapy can significantly improve the survival rate of patients with advanced lung cancer. For example, the KEYNOTE-189 trial confirmed that pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy can extend progression-free survival in patients.
2.Popularization of genetic testing: With the development of precision medicine, the role of genetic testing in the treatment of lung cancer has become increasingly prominent. By detecting gene mutations such as EGFR, ALK, and ROS1, doctors can choose more appropriate targeted drugs for patients.
3.Research and development of new drugs: Recently, some new drugs such as KRAS inhibitors (such as Sotorasib) have performed well in clinical trials, bringing new hope to patients with KRAS mutations.
4. Survival period and quality of life of patients with advanced lung cancer
Although the emergence of specific drugs has improved the prognosis of patients with advanced lung cancer, survival is still affected by many factors. Here are some key figures:
| Treatment | Median survival time (months) | 5 year survival rate |
|---|---|---|
| traditional chemotherapy | 8-12 | <5% |
| targeted therapy | 18-24 | 10-15% |
| Immunotherapy | 20-30 | 15-20% |
5. Summary and suggestions
Specific drugs for late-stage lung cancer provide patients with more treatment options, but each drug has its indications and limitations. Patients should choose a personalized treatment plan under the guidance of a doctor and combined with genetic testing results. At the same time, maintaining a good mentality and a healthy lifestyle are also crucial to improving the quality of life.
In the future, with the deepening of medical research and the emergence of more innovative drugs and treatments, the survival time and quality of life of patients with advanced lung cancer are expected to be further improved.
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