Epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer: A primer on contemporary management

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) constitutes 85% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. In metastatic cases, its treatment classically consists of systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy, which resulted in a median overall survival of 7.9 months. However, over the last decade, improved understanding of driver mutations, especially identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation, has changed the treatment landscape of these patients. Our understanding of EGFR mutations has improved tremendously, and we now have three generations of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, have identified secondary resistance mutations, and have developed agents targeting these resistance mutations, making precision medicine a reality. We review these developments and try to propose an optimal approach toward the management of these patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC.