How are kinase inhibitors helpful to treat lung cancer?

Kinase inhibitors are a type of targeted therapy that can be helpful in the treatment of lung cancer. Lung cancer often involves genetic mutations that lead to the overactivation of certain signaling pathways, including those mediated by kinases. Kinases are enzymes that regulate various cellular. processes, including cell growth, division, and survival. By inhibiting specific kinases that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells, kinase inhibitors can interfere with the signaling pathways that drive the proliferation of cancer cells. This can help slow down or halt the growth of tumors, making them a valuable treatment option for lung cancer patients. For instance, in lung cancer cases with EGFR mutations, EGFR inhibitors like erlotinib, gefitinib, or osimertinib are used to inhibit the growth of cancer cells by blocking the activity of the mutated EGFR protein. Similarly, ALK inhibitors such as crizotinib or alectinib are employed to target ALK gene rearr...