Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
There are many different types of lung cancer. Non-Small Cell Lung Cancers (NSCLC) are grouped together because they tend to be treated in the same way, which is different to Small Cell Lung Cancer. NSCLCs account for abour 85% of all lung cancer cases. The most common types of NSCLC are Adenocarcinoma, Squamous cell (epidermoid) carcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Less common types of NSCLC include: pleomorphic, carcinoid tumor, salivary gland carcinoma, and unclassified carcinoma of the lung.
Note: most of the resources on the general Lung Cancer page are relevant to NSCLC.




Information Patients and the Public (7 links)
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
National Cancer InstitutePDQ summaries are written and frequently updated by editorial boards of experts Further info.
Treating non-small cell lung cancer
Macmillan Cancer SupportContent is developed by a team of information development nurses and content editors, and reviewed by health professionals. Further info.
MedlinePlus.govProduced by The National Library of Medicine with expert Advisory Board with representatives from the National Institutes of Health. Further info.
Detailed overview covering causes, symptoms, tests, treatment and other options.
Biological therapy for lung cancer
Cancer Research UK
Includes details of a number of biological therapies, for example Erlotinib, which is locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC which is EGFR positive.
Cancer Council Australia
Short overview of NSCLC
American Cancer Society
Detailed guide in the format of questions and answers.
ACOR
Email discussion and support list
Information for Health Professionals / Researchers (6 links)
- PubMed search for publications about Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell - Limit search to: [Reviews]
PubMed Central search for free-access publications about Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell
MeSH term: Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell LungUS National Library of Medicine
PubMed has over 22 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals, and online books. Constantly updated.
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment
National Cancer InstitutePDQ summaries are written and frequently updated by editorial boards of experts Further info.
NHS EvidenceRegularly updated and reviewed. Further info.
Search of NHS Evidence
National Cancer Institute
Search of the NCI's database of 12,000+ clinical trials from around the world.
Medscape
Detailed referenced article by Winston Tan MD, covering background, presentation, diagnosis, workup, treatment and medication.
Nucleus Medical Media
3D medical animation with a detailed description of the staging or progression of the lung cancer. It describes the occult cancers, then Stage 0 where cancer cells are found in the airway lining. It goes to demonstrate Stage IA, IB, IIA, IIB which are considered invasive and the cancer cells have invaded the airway lining. Sample video - Standard YouTube license. 2011
Latest Research Publications
This list of publications is regularly updated (Source: PubMed).
Brain MRI imaging characteristics predict treatment response and outcome in patients with de novo brain metastasis of EGFR-mutated NSCLC.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(33):e16766 [PubMed] Related Publications
Combined use of salivary biomarkers and carcinoembryonic antigen for lung cancer detection in a Chinese population.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(31):e16511 [PubMed] Related Publications
Protein expression of close homologue of L1 (CHL1) is a marker for overall survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2019; 145(9):2285-2292 [PubMed] Related Publications
METHODS: We evaluated the protein expression of CHL1 by immunohistochemistry in 2161 NSCLC patients based on a tissue microarray. The results were correlated with clinical, histopathological, and patient survival data (Chi square test, t test, and log-rank test, respectively). A multivariate analysis (Cox regression) was performed to validate its impact on patients' survival.
RESULTS: CHL1 was expressed in NSCLC patients and was significantly overexpressed in lung adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas compared to neuroendocrine and large cell carcinomas of the lung (p < 0.001). CHL1 expression was associated with the T stage in adenocarcinomas (p = 0.011) and with metastatic lymph node status and UICC stage in squamous cell carcinomas (p = 0.034 and p = 0.035, respectively). Increased CHL1 expression was associated with improved survival in univariate (p = 0.031) and multivariate analyses (odds ratio 0.797, 95% confidence interval 0.677-0.939, p = 0.007).
CONCLUSION: The prognostic significance of CHL1 makes it a potential prognostic and therapeutic target and underlines its role as a tumour suppressor. Further validation studies and functional analyses are needed to investigate its potential role in tumourigenesis and dissemination.
Italian Cohort of the Nivolumab EAP in Squamous NSCLC: Efficacy and Safety in Patients With CNS Metastases.
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(8):4265-4271 [PubMed] Related Publications
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients in the Italian cohort of the Expanded Access Program (EAP) who had CNS metastases at baseline were analyzed.
RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients with CNS metastases received a median of six doses of nivolumab. Three patients (8%) had grade 3-4 adverse events and one patient discontinued due to an adverse event. The objective response rate was 19%. Median overall survival was 5.8 (95% confidence interval=1.9-9.8) months and median progression-free survival was 4.9 (95% confidence interval=2.7-7.1) months.
CONCLUSION: The safety and efficacy of nivolumab in patients with CNS metastases appear to be similar to those seen in the overall EAP cohort in Italy.
Prognostic Significance of IGF-1 Signalling Pathway in Patients With Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(8):4185-4190 [PubMed] Related Publications
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-three patients were prospectively included. Analysis and quantification of circulating levels of IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP3 were performed by total ELISA in peripheral blood samples at baseline and 3 months post-treatment.
RESULTS: The median values of IGF-1 and IGF-1/IGF-BP3 ratios (125.82 vs. 133.4 ng/ml, p=0.087 and 0.01006 vs. 0.01252, p=0.011) were both decreased after treatment. Importantly, the post-treatment value of the ratio was significantly reduced only among responders to treatment (0.01044 from 0.01255, p=0.02).
CONCLUSION: Reduction of IGF-1/IGF-BP3 ratio was statistically significant only among patients with NSCLC who responded to first-line treatment. If validated in larger cohorts, IGF-1/IGFBP3 might be a useful predictive tool for response to chemotherapy in NSCLC.
TRIM13 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis by regulating NF-κB pathway in non-small-cell lung carcinoma cells.
Gene. 2019; 715:144015 [PubMed] Related Publications
Postoperative adjuvant therapy for resectable early non-small cell lung cancer: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(30):e16468 [PubMed] Related Publications
METHODS: We will search PubMed (Medline), Embase, Google Scholar, Cancerlit, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for related studies published without language restrictions before June 20, 2019. Two review authors will search and assess relevant studies independently. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs studies will be included. We will perform subgroup analysis in different methods of postoperative adjuvant therapy for patients with resectable early NSCLC. Because this study will be based on published or unpublished records and studies, there is no need for ethics approval.
RESULTS: The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
CONCLUSION: This study will comprehensively compare the efficacy of platinum-based chemotherapy with that of molecular targeted therapy and immunotherapy for patients after surgery with resectable early NSCLC. Since large-sample randomized trials meeting the inclusion criteria of this study may be insufficient, we will consider incorporating some high-quality small-sample-related trials, which may lead to high heterogeneity and affect the reliability of the results.
Analysis of the long non-coding RNA LINC01614 in non-small cell lung cancer.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(30):e16437 [PubMed] Related Publications
Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors combined with thoracic radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of single-arm trials.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(29):e16427 [PubMed] Related Publications
METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from January 2000 to December 2017 for eligible studies where patients received concurrent EGFR TKIs and TRT or CRT. Concerned outcomes were primary tumor RR, overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs). The meta-analysis was performed using Stata software (version 12.0). Random effects models were used to pool outcomes across studies. Sensitivity analysis was performed to determine if the results would be different.
RESULTS: We found 16 prospective clinical trials with mature results for meta-analyses. Twelve studies including 446 patients reported the RR and survival outcomes of TRT combined TKIs. The CR, PR, SD, and PD, respectively, were 0.06 (95% CI 0.03-0.09, I = 0%), 0.44 (95% CI 0.38-0.49, I = 64.9%), 0.29 (95% CI 0.24-0.34, I = 78.4%), and 0.15 (95% CI 0.11-0.19, I = 84.2%). One- and 2-year OS, respectively, were 0.52 (95% CI 0.44-0.60, I = 38.8%) and 0.26 (95% CI 0.18-0.33, I = 0%). Four studies including 182 patients reported the RR and survival outcomes of CRT combined TKIs. The pooled CR, PR, SD, and PD, respectively, were 0.12 (95% CI 0.02-0.22, I = 69.1%), 0.41 (95% CI 0.27-0.55, I71.6%), 0.31 (95% CI 0.16-0.46, I = 79%), and 0.14 (95% CI -0.01-0.30, I = 87.8%). Only 1 study reported the survival event rate, 1- and 2-year OS, respectively, were 0.83 (95% CI 0.71-0.94) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.54-0.81). There were not severe adverse events (SAEs) reported either TRT combined TKIs or CRT combined TKIs.
CONCLUSION: There is evidence, albeit of low quality, that added the TKIs to TRT or CRT may improve RR and survival outcomes in patients with EGFR mutant status unknown advanced or metastatic NSCLC relative to other studies of TKIs alone, TRT alone or CRT.
Serum PCSK9 levels at the second nivolumab cycle predict overall survival in elderly patients with NSCLC: a pilot study.
Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2019; 68(8):1351-1358 [PubMed] Related Publications
Uniport video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) exhibits increased feasibility, non-inferior tolerance, and equal efficiency compared with multiport VATS and open thoracotomy in the elderly non-small cell lung cancer patients at early stage.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(28):e16137 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Association between cancer concealment and the survival of the patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma.
Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2019; 44(6):657-663 [PubMed] Related Publications
Circulating Tumor DNA T790M Testing as a Predictor of Osimertinib Efficacy in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Single Center Experience.
Isr Med Assoc J. 2019; 21(6):394-398 [PubMed] Related Publications
OBJECTIVES: To analyze osimertinib outcomes according to T790M testing method.
METHODS: The study comprised 33 consecutive patients with advanced EGFR mutant NSCLC who were diagnosed with a T790M mutation after progression on first- or second-generation EGFR TKIs and treated with osimertinib. The patients were divided into groups A (diagnosed by tumor testing) and B (by ctDNA testing). Osimertinib outcomes were compared between the groups.
RESULTS: Objective response rate with osimertinib comprised 54% and 62% in groups A and B, respectively (P = 0.58). Median progression-free survival (PFS) with osimertinib was 8.9 months (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 1.8-17.5) and 9.1 months (95%Cl 5.3-12.6) in groups A and B, respectively (log-rank test 0.12, P = 0.73). Median overall survival (OS) was 13.8 months (95%CI 4.9-25.5) and 13.8 months (95%Cl 7.7-27.7) in groups A and B, respectively (log-rank test 0.09, P = 0.75). T790M testing technique did not affect PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.16, 95%CI 0.50-2.69, P = 0.73) or OS (HR = 1.16, 95%CI 0.45-3.01, P = 0.76). The proportion of patients diagnosed by ctDNA grew from 56% in 2015 to 67% in 2016-2017.
CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides a ctDNA validation for the purpose of T790M testing in EGFR mutant NSCLC.
Treatment rationale and design of the induction chemotherapy and adjuvant thoracic radiation in resectable N2-3A/3B non-small cell lung cancer (ICAT) study.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(27):e16298 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
PATIENTS AND METHODS: In total, 25 male and female patients aged between 20 and 75 years with stage N2-3A/3B resectable NSCLC will be included. Eligible patients will undergo tri-modality therapy comprising induction chemotherapy (3 cycles of combination therapy with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel), followed by surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. Recruitment was commenced in April 2017, with a planned last follow-up in March 2024. As of May 2019, 1 subject has been enrolled. The primary endpoint is the treatment completion rate. The secondary endpoints are objective response rate (ORR) of induction chemotherapy, treatment-related adverse event, recurrence-free survival (RFS) time, and overall survival (OS) time. RFS and OS time will be calculated as the time from this study registration to first recurrence and all-cause death, respectively.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol was approved by the institutional review boards of Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine and all the participating hospitals. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before registration, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The study results will be disseminated via publication in peer-reviewed journals.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registration number UMIN000025010 and jRCT1051180028.
Efficacy of chemoradiotherapy versus radiation alone in patients with inoperable locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis and systematic review.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(27):e16167 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
METHODS: Medline, Cochrane, EMBASE, Google Scholar databases were searched until July 28, 2015 using the following keywords non-small cell lung cancer, advanced cancer, incurable/inoperable/unresectable, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy/chemoradiation. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and two-armed prospective studies that compared combined RT+CT with RT alone in patients with locally advanced (stage III) nonresectable NSCLC were eligible for inclusion. Treatment effect on overall survival, progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) were evaluated.
RESULTS: Ultimately, 13 RCT studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The 13 studies included a total of 1936 patients with incurable/inoperable stage III NSCLC, of which 975 received RT alone and 961 received RT+CT combination therapy. The average age ranged from 54 to 77 years. At 1 and 2 years after treatment, the pooled data reveal that patients receiving CT+RT combination therapy had higher overall survival (pooled hazard ratio (HR), 0.72; 95% CI, 0.62-0.84; P < .001; 1-yr: HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54-0.84; P < .001; 2-year: HR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.45-0.73; P < .001), higher PFS (pooled HR, 0.73, 95% CI, 0.60-0.89; P = .002; 1-year: HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.24-0.53; P < .001; 2-year: HR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23-0.63; P < .001).
CONCLUSION: Our findings show higher efficacy for concurrent CT+RT over RT alone in treating locally-advanced, unresectable stage III NSCLC.
Treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: 2018 guidelines of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM).
Tumori. 2019; 105(5_suppl):3-14 [PubMed] Related Publications
Impact of delayed and prolonged fixation on the evaluation of immunohistochemical staining on lung carcinoma resection specimen.
Virchows Arch. 2019; 475(2):191-199 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Financial Toxicity and Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment: The Optimization in the Choice of Immune Check Point Inhibitors.
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(7):3961-3965 [PubMed] Related Publications
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present evaluation was restricted to phase III randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We calculated the pharmacological costs necessary to get the benefit in OS.
RESULTS: Six phase III RCTs were evaluated. Concerning first-line, the lowest cost per month of OS-gain was associated with the use of pembrolizumab at 2,734 €. Concerning second-line, the lowest cost per month of OS-gain was associated with the use of atezolizumab at 3,724 €.
CONCLUSION: Pembrolizumab and atezolizumab are cost-effective in both first and second-line treatment for metastatic NSCLC, respectively.
Which Is Better EGFR-TKI Followed by Osimertinib: Afatinib or Gefitinib/Erlotinib?
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(7):3923-3929 [PubMed] Related Publications
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study evaluated outcomes between afatinib group and 1st-G group. We analyzed clinical data from NSCLC patients receiving osimertinib after progression following 1st- or 2nd-G EGFR-TKIs between March 28, 2016 and March 31, 2018. Patients with performance status (PS) 0-2 were enrolled to reduce bias of patients' conditions.
RESULTS: We enrolled 111 patients treated with osimertinib. The median age was 69 (range: 39-88) years. Out of 111 patients, 33 (29.7%) were men, 100 (90%) had PS 0-1, and 35 (31.5%) were in the afatinib group. The objective RR and DCR were significantly higher in the afatinib group than in the 1st-G group [82.9% vs. 53.9% (p=0.0065); 91.4% vs. 71.1% (p=0.032)]. The median PFS tended higher in the afatinib group than in the 1st-G group (15.6 vs. 8.9 months, p=0.195).
CONCLUSION: Afatinib followed by osimertinib may provide better outcomes for T790M-positive NSCLC than 1st-G EGFR-TKIs. Afatinib followed by osimertinib may be a therapeutic option for NSCLC harboring EGFR mutation.
Retreatment With Anti-PD-L1 Antibody in Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Previously Treated With Anti-PD-1 Antibodies.
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(7):3917-3921 [PubMed] Related Publications
PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 18 NSCLC patients who received atezolizumab after anti-PD-1 antibody treatment. Data on patient characteristics, number of cycles of anti-PD-1 antibody and atezolizumab, regimens between anti-PD-1 antibody and atezolizumab, best response, and immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were collected and analyzed.
RESULTS: Nine patients a had high (≥50%) PD-L1 expression. The median number of cycles of atezolizumab was 3 (range=2-7). The median progression-free survival was 2.9±1.8 months. Seven (38.9%) and 11 (61.1%) patients had stable and progressive disease, respectively. No patient achieved partial or complete response. There were no significant differences in the occurrence of irAEs between anti-PD-1 antibodies and atezolizumab.
CONCLUSION: Preliminary results showed that patients previously treated with anti PD-1 antibodies received only limited benefit from subsequent atezolizumab.
C-reactive protein is a significant predictor of improved survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(26):e16238 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Efficacy and safety of apatinib plus docetaxel as the second or above line treatment in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC: A multi center prospective study.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2019; 98(26):e16065 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to probe efficacy and safety of apatinib plus docetaxel, as the second or above line treatment, in advanced nonsquamous NSCLC.
DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, single arm study.
SETTING: Three teaching hospitals centers in the Sichuan.
PARTICIPANTS: Fourteen patients with stage IVA/B nonsquamous NSCLC had previously received at least 1 platinum-based chemotherapy regimen.
INTERVENTION: Patients who were enrolled between November 2016 and January 2018 were given docetaxel (75 mg/m, i.v., d1) plus oral apatinib (250 mg/d), 4 weeks as one cycle, until disease progression or intolerance to adverse events (AE).
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints comprised objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and AE incidence rate.
RESULTS: All patients carried adenocarcinoma by pathological type. The median follow-up duration was 9.76 months. Out of 14 cases, 12 were evaluable, showing ORR of 33.33%, DCR of 66.67%, DCR of 50% in cases with brain metastasis, median PFS of 2.92 months (95% CI: 1.38-4.48), and 6-month OS of 80%. Primary AEs encompassed: leukopenia in 7 cases (58.33%), hand-foot skin reaction in 5 cases (41.67%), and diarrhea in 4 cases (33.33%). Among them, grade 3 AEs were: leukopenia in 4 cases (33.33%), and hand-foot skin reaction in 1 case (8.33%). No grade 4/5 AEs were reported. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted respectively for PFS and OS. These factors encompassed: gender, age, gene mutations, clinical stage, ECOG scores, quantity of metastatic foci, brain metastasis, and hand-foot skin reaction. Results demonstrated zero risk factors for PFS or OS.
CONCLUSION: Apatinib plus docetaxel, as the second or above line treatment, is effective and safe against advanced nonsquamous NSCLC, with good tolerance profile.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03416231.
The triazole linked galactose substituted dicyano compound can induce autophagy in NSCLC cell lines.
Gene. 2019; 712:143935 [PubMed] Related Publications
The miR-1204 regulates apoptosis in NSCLC cells by targeting DEK.
Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2019; 57(2):64-73 [PubMed] Related Publications
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The miR-1204 mimics and inhibitors were transfected into the (A549 and SPC) NSCLC cells. Then the mRNA levels, cell viability, apoptosis rate, morphology and caspase activity were determined. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax was also analyzed.
RESULTS: In NSCLC cell lines (A549 and SPC), DEK mRNA levels were down-regulated in miR-1204 overex-pression group. In miR-1204 inhibition group, the expression of DEK mRNA showed an opposite trend. The overexpression of miR-1204 increases the apoptosis rate in NSCLC cells. The Bcl-2 levels in the miR-1204 over-expression group were decreased, while the Bax level was increased. In the miR-1204 inhibition group, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax showed opposite trends. Cell staining revealed cell's morphological changes; the apoptosis in the miR-1204 overexpression group revealed significant morphological features, such as brighter nuclei and nu-clear condensation. Results indicated a typical characteristic of apoptosis in the miR-1204 overexpression group. Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 were involved in the apoptosis pathway, which was mediated by miR-1204 and DEK.
CONCLUSIONS: The miR-1204 induces apoptosis of NSCLC cells by inhibiting the expression of DEK. The mech-anism of apoptosis involves down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Bax expression. Moreover, the apoptosis was mediated by mitochondria-related caspase 9/3 pathway.
Inhibition of tumor metastasis by targeted daunorubicin and dioscin codelivery liposomes modified with PFV for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer.
Int J Nanomedicine. 2019; 14:4071-4090 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Role and regulation mechanism of Gal-3 in non-small cell lung cancer and its potential clinical therapeutic significance.
Chem Biol Interact. 2019; 309:108724 [PubMed] Related Publications
The immune response-related mutational signatures and driver genes in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Cancer Sci. 2019; 110(8):2348-2356 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Targeted Therapies in Non-small-Cell Lung Cancer.
Cancer Treat Res. 2019; 178:3-43 [PubMed] Related Publications
SHOC2 phosphatase-dependent RAF dimerization mediates resistance to MEK inhibition in RAS-mutant cancers.
Nat Commun. 2019; 10(1):2532 [PubMed] Free Access to Full Article Related Publications
Anticancer Res. 2019; 39(6):3269-3272 [PubMed] Related Publications
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Real-time PCR with melting curve analysis was used for genotyping of NSCLC patients and healthy individuals of Polish origin.
RESULTS: The ERCC1 rs11615 T allele and rs3212986 GG homozygosity were found to be associated with a higher risk of developing NSCLC. In addition, NFKB2 rs12769316 GG homozygosity was more frequently detected among male patients than controls, while no significant differences were found between the five polymorphisms.
CONCLUSION: ERCC1 polymorphisms may affect NSCLC risk in the Polish population, while the NFKB2 variant may be a possible marker of the disease in males.