Squamous cell carcinoma of the lung is a cancer originating from squamous cells -- flattened epithelial cells that make up the air sacs within the lungs. This type of cancer belongs to a family of cancers known as non-small cell lung cancer. If left untreated, it may eventually develop into an advanced metastatic carcinoma, affecting multiple organs and ultimately proving fatal. Doctors commonly use drug therapy to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
Vinorelbine
A medication used to help fight squamous cell carcinoma is vinorelbine, also called Navelbine. Navelbine belongs to a family of drugs known as plant alkaloids. According to Chemocare.com, Navelbine works by attacking structures called microtubules, which help make up a cancer cell's cytoskeleton and provide structural support for the cell. Cancer cells must reorganize their microtubules during cell division, and inhibiting microtubule functioning prevents cells from dividing. As a result, cancer cells exposed to vinorelbine can no longer divide, and cancer growth is halted. A study published in "Lung Cancer" in 2010 explains that vinorelbine, in combination with other chemotherapy drugs, is an effective first-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
Cisplatin
Another drug commonly used to treat squamous cell carcinoma is cisplatin, a type of chemotherapy drug. Cisplatin belongs to a class of drugs that contain platinum, a metal that acts as a toxin within cells. Upon entering a squamous cancer cell, the platinum in cisplatin interacts with the cell's deoxyribonucleic acid, better known as DNA, leading to the formation of toxic DNA crosslinks. With these crosslinks in place, the cancer cell cannot replicate its DNA -- an essential step in cell division. The crosslinks also prevent the cancer cell from generating proteins needed for cell survival, and the squamous cell carcinoma begins to die. The National Cancer Institute indicates that cisplatin is a commonly used curative or palliative therapy for non-small cell lung cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma.
Gemcitabine
Gemcitabine, also called Gemzar, is another medication used to treat squamous cell carcinoma. Gemzar is a nucleotide analogue, which means it has a similar chemical structure to the components that make up DNA. During cell division, a cancer cell must replicate its DNA from billions of nucleotides. Without this DNA replication, the cell cannot divide. During DNA replication, gemcitabine becomes incorporated into the new DNA and then halts DNA synthesis. This prevents the cancer cell from completely replicating its DNA, and cell division stops. The National Cancer Institute indicates that gemcitabine, in combination with cisplatin, is approved in the United States to treat squamous cell carcinoma of the lung.
