# Drug Development in Non-Oncogene-Addicted Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

## TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances and challenges in developing drugs for non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer, focusing on new therapies and clinical trial progress.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of current drug development strategies and emerging targets in non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer.

## Key findings

- New drugs like immunotherapies and antibody–drug conjugates are being developed for non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer.
- Phase I trials have evolved to focus on early efficacy signals rather than just toxicity.
- Challenges remain in progressing drugs to phase III trials, particularly in later-line therapy settings.

## Abstract

Non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer therapy has seen major advances in recent years, with more precise and diverse drugs. Phase I clinical trials have also evolved. Nonetheless, difficulties remain, with the frequent failure of new drugs when progressing to phase III. These challenges are being tackled with promising new drugs being developed, based on innovative mechanisms. We review the current state of the art of drug development in non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer, including advances, new drugs and targets, challenges, and opportunities in drug development.

Non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer therapy has seen major advances in recent years. New molecular targets and biomarkers have enabled the development of drugs as diverse as immunotherapies and antibody–drug conjugates, among others. With a pharmacological armamentarium so precise, phase I trials have also evolved from exclusively toxicological studies into early efficacy signal-seeking trials. Nonetheless, difficulties remain, with the frequent failure of new drugs when progressing to a phase III setting. Challenges are seen in the setting of later lines therapy (testing against docetaxel), of which there are several examples. These are being tackled with promising new drugs being developed, based on innovative biological rationales. We review the current state of the art of drug development in non-oncogene-addicted non-small cell lung cancer, including advances, new drugs and targets, challenges, and opportunities in drug development.