# Lung Cancer Lung-cancer work gives shikonin a plausible foothold, especially in EGFR-driven disease. The main evidence is still preclinical and some of the most interesting findings come from derivatives rather than native shikonin. ### Why lung cancer is a logical target Many non-small-cell lung cancers depend on EGFR and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling. These pathways drive survival, proliferation, and acquired treatment resistance. Shikonin and some of its derivatives appear to interfere with that axis. ### Key evidence Reported findings include: * inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling in lung-cancer cell lines * reduced proliferation and survival signalling * derivative-linked sensitisation of gefitinib-resistant NSCLC through TrxR inhibition and EGFR proteasomal degradation The derivative work matters, but it should not be overstated as proof for native shikonin. ### Why this matters Gefitinib resistance remains a major problem in EGFR-mutant disease. A compound class that can re-open EGFR vulnerability remains interesting even when the evidence is still early. ### Limits * much of the strongest sensitisation work uses derivatives, not native shikonin * most models are EGFR-focused, not KRAS- or ALK-driven disease * no robust immune-competent in vivo literature * no human data exists ### Bottom line Lung cancer is a real but secondary shikonin setting. The pathway logic is sound. The strongest specific sensitisation signal currently belongs more to derivative compounds than to the native molecule. ### References Shikonin anticancer activity against lung cancer through PI3K/AKT/mTOR. *ScienceDirect* (2025).\ ER-mediated anti-tumor effects — EGFR proteasomal degradation and gefitinib sensitisation context. *European Journal of Pharmacology.*\ {% hint style="warning" %} This information is for education only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please speak with a qualified clinician before making changes to care, medication, or supplement use. {% endhint %} {% hint style="info" %} © 2026 Abbey Mitchell. All rights reserved. Please share by URL rather than copying page text. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://myhealingcommunity.gitbook.io/myhealingcommunity-docs/natural-medicines/shikonin-in-oncology/shikonin-evidence-by-cancer-type/lung-cancer.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.