Afatinib for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

ABSTRACT: Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring sensitizing mutations in the tyrosine kinase (TKI) domain has led to a significant change in the management of this disease. The classic or sensitizing mutations are G719X mutation in exon 18, in-frame deletions or insertion of exon 19, L858R or L861Q mutation in exon 21. Approximately 90% of these mutations are exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R point mutation. Gefitinib and erlotinib are reversible first-generation inhibitors of mutant EGFR, and treatment with these agents in the first-line setting has demonstrated a progression-free survival of 9.5-13.7 months. However, the majority of these patients ultimately develop resistance to these drugs. Afatinib is an irreversible

SUBMITTER: Joshi M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4340466 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature