Fig. 10
From: Advances in molecular pathology and therapy of non-small cell lung cancer
Resistance mechanisms underlying targeted therapy in NSCLC. The disappearance of target sites can be explained by two scenarios: the loss of target sites due to genetic mutations, or the loss of affinity between the drug and the target site due to genetic or epigenetic modifications. More importantly, the distinction between substitution and decentralization is blurred, as partial substitution can also lead to multiple pathways that provide survival signals to cancer cells – a strategy akin to how humans diversify investments to mitigate risks. The illustration lists several factors contributing to resistance, but it is crucial to acknowledge that many unknown mechanisms of resistance against targeted therapy remain
