Changes to a protein known as EGFR can result in lung cancer. The medication Tarceva (erlotinib) is one of two drugs that target EGFR as a means of treating lung cancer. The use of Tarceva has just been expanded.

If one cancer therapy doesn't work well, the conventional wisdom is to intensify the treatment. But adding more medications to the mix doesn't always work.

Targeting cancer gene mutations has been changing the way non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is treated. As scientists learn more about the genetic makeup of tumors, more personalized therapy has become available.

When non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) grows again after shrinking on targeted therapy, patients may turn to chemotherapy. Adding local therapy to targeted drugs could offer another solution.

Older lung cancer patients who have not responded to standard chemotherapy may be reluctant to continue treatment. Later-stage drug treatment, however, can be effective. Older patients often go under-treated because of concerns that they will not be able to tolerate certain toxic therapies.