OncoTargets and Therapy (Aug 2018)
Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung
Abstract
Chenghui Li,1,2 Hongyang Lu2,3 1The Second Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Thoracic Medical Oncology, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 3Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Diagnosis & Treatment Technology on Thoracic Oncology (Lung and Esophagus), Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China Abstract: Adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung (ASC), a relatively rare subtype of non-small-cell lung cancer, is defined as a malignancy containing components of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although ASC has biological characteristics of ADC and SCC, it is not by any means a simple hybrid of two components above. It is extremely difficult to diagnose preoperatively; pathology of surgically resected gross specimen is the most effective means for adequate diagnosis of ASC. Platinum-based postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for at least four cycles can significantly improve the survival in stage III patients with ASC. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) such as erlotinib and gefitinib can be the effective therapeutic strategies for advanced EGFR-mutant ASC. The studies of crizotinib in the treatment of patients with ASC are very limited. Immune checkpoint blockade therapy may be a potential treatment choice for ASC patients. Keywords: adenosquamous carcinoma of the lung, clinicopathological characteristics, histogenesis, prognosis, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy
