Lung Cancer: Disease Biology and Its Potential for Clinical Translation

Lung cancer affects millions of people worldwide and is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. There are two main types of lung cancer: small-cell and non-small-cell. These cancers grow differently, are treated differently, and lead to different outcomes. Recent advances in the clinic and laboratory are leading to significant enhancements in patient care. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine covers the progress that has been made in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of lung cancer and how this information is leading to improved detection and treatment strategies. The contributors review the genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic changes associated with lung carcinogenesis, the histologic and metabolic features of different types of lung cancer, and the roles of the immune microenvironment and cancer stem cells in tumor maintenance and metastasis. The large databases of demographic and clinical information, high-throughput platforms that generate molecular data, advanced computational methods (e.g., radiomics and artificial intelligence), and preclinical models that facilitate advances in basic and translational research are also covered.

In addition, the authors discuss progress on risk prediction, diagnostic strategies (e.g., liquid biopsy), and therapies for both small-cell and non-small-cell lung cancer. This volume is therefore a vital reference for all cancer biologists and clinician-scientists devoted to reducing the public health burden of this disease.