Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a very difficult disease to treat, with most patients dying within a few years. Nevertheless, some advances in treatment are occurring. The chemotherapy drug pemetrexed can prolong survival in some patients and is a standard second-line treatment for patients with progressive or recurrent NSCLC following initial chemotherapy. The targeted drug erlotinib has also helped some patients with advanced NSCLC live longer and is FDA-approved for this use.