Evolving Insights into Brain Metastases in Patients with Oncogene Mutation-Driven Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

Adam Sholi, N.¹, Iyan Younus², Najiha Farooqi³ & Mohamed Kamel^3*

¹Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
²Department of Neurological Surgery, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
³Department of General Surgery, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA

Dr. Mohamed Kamel, Department of General Surgery, Central Michigan University, Michigan, USA.

Keywords: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC); Brain Metastasis; Oncogene; EGFR; ALK

Abstract

Brain metastases (BM) frequently develop in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with a higher incidence observed in patients with oncogenic driver mutations. Management strategies for BM are rapidly evolving to reflect the advancements in lung cancer biology and the recent application of novel molecular and immunotherapies in NSCLC. In addition, emerging insights into the brain microenvironment and the mechanism of brain colonization may provide new avenues for treating and preventing BM. In this review, we discuss concepts in tumor biology and current management options for BM in NSCLC with emphasis on oncogenic-driver mutations.

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