Novel insights in the diagnosis and treatment of non-small cell lung cancer: Post-translational modification of proteins

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is associated with a high incidence and mortality rate, imposing a significant economic burden worldwide. The development of standardized diagnostic and targeted therapeutic approaches is essential. Protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) play a critical role in regulating biological functions during both physiological and pathological states, as they reversibly and dynamically adjust protein activity in response to changes in internal and external conditions. Various types of PTMs, including ubiquitination, phosphorylation, glycosylation, Small Ubiquitin-like Modifier (SUMO)ylation, acetylation, palmitoylation, and lactylation, have been shown to correlate significantly with the onset, progression, metastasis, treatment, and drug resistance of NSCLC. These modifications are involved in the initiation and progression of NSCLC and are linked to patient survival outcomes. Additionally, different therapeutic modalities, such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy, can influence treatment efficacy by altering PTMs. However, the challenge of drug resistance significantly undermines therapeutic effectiveness and patient outcomes. This review emphasizes the importance of PTMs in drug resistance and highlights their potential to inform more precise treatment strategies for NSCLC, ultimately contributing to a reduction in disability-adjusted life years, which is of considerable practical importance.