Exploring Therapeutic Avenues in Lung Cancer: The Epigenetic Perspective

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Understanding epigenetic processes could revolutionize lung cancer care, enhancing diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. Promising clinical trials, featuring various drug treatments and immunotherapy, offer optimism for patients with lung cancer, aiming for extended, better-quality lives with reduced side effects. However, comprehending how epidrugs function in these treatments remains a crucial challenge. Bridging this knowledge gap will enhance our ability to use epidrugs effectively, ultimately benefiting lung cancer patients by improving their treatment outcomes and quality of life. ABSTRACT: Lung cancer, primarily non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), is distinguished by its high prevalence and marked mortality rates. Traditional therapeutic approaches, encompassing chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, frequently show limited efficacy due to acquired resistance and notable side effects. The objective of this review is to introduce a fresh perspective on the therapeutic strategies for lung cancer, emphasizing interventions targeting the epigenetic alterations often seen in this malignancy. This review presents the most recent advancements in the field, focusing on both past and current clinical trials related to the modulation of methylation patterns using diverse molecular agents. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis of the challenges and advantages of these methylation-modifying drugs will be provided, assessing their efficacy as individual treatments and their potential for synergy when integrated with prevailing therapeutic regimens.