Resistance to EGFR targeting therapies in lung cancer
Watzka, S.B.; Posch, F.; Hochmair, M.; Setinek, U.; Köstler, W.J.; Müller, M.R.
Minerva Chirurgica 66(5): 483-494
2011
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4733 PMID: 22117213 Document Number: 650885
The treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by therapies targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway represents one of the most important advances in thoracic oncology. Reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), like gefitinib and erlotinib, are able to achieve dramatic responses in a subset of patients. However, most patients treated with TKIs eventually develop resistance against these drugs. Here we review the physiology and pathology of EGFR activation in NSCLC, the clinical experience with TKIs, the mechanisms of resistance against TKIs, and discuss various approaches to treat resistance against TKIs.