Targeting of drug-tolerant persister cells as an approach to counter drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer

The advent of targeted therapies revolutionized treatments of advanced oncogene-driven non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Nonetheless, despite initial dramatic responses, development of drug resistance is inevitable. Although mechanisms underlying acquired resistance, such as on-target mutations, bypass pathways, or lineage transformation, have been described, overcoming drug resistance remains challenging. Recent evidence suggests that drug-tolerant persister (DTP) cells, which are tumor cells tolerant to initial drug exposure, give rise to cells that acquire drug resistance. Thus, the possibility of eradicating cancer by targeting DTP cells is under investigation, and various strategies are proposed. Here, we review overall features of DTP cells, current efforts to define DTP markers, and potential therapeutic strategies to target and eradicate DTP cells in oncogene-driven NSCLC. We also discuss future challenges in the field.