Squamous Transition of Lung Adenocarcinoma and Drug Resistance

Studies in mouse models support an essential role of lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) transition (AST) in the development of drug resistance. Recent observations in the clinic further suggest that this type of histological transition may be responsible for resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy and chemotherapy in relapsed EGFR-mutant lung ADC patients. Here we summarize the current understanding of AST and drug resistance.