Non-small-cell lung cancer harbouring mutations in the EGFR kinase domain

Key "driver" mutations have been discovered in specific subgroups of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Activating mutations in the form of deletions in exon 19 (del 19) or the missense mutation L858R in the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) predict outcome to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as gefitinib and erlotinib. Pooled data from several phase II studies show that gefitinib and erlotinib induce responses in over 70% of NSCLC patients harbouring EGFR mutations, with progression-free survival (PFS) ranging from 9 to 13 months and median survival of around 23 months. Two studies in Caucasian and Asian patients have confirmed that these subgroups of patients attain response rates of 70% with erlotinib and gefitinib, including complete responses, PFS up to 14 months and median survival up to 27 months. These landmark outcomes have been accompanied by new challenges: the additional role of chemotherapy and the management of tumours with the secondary T790M mutation that confers resistance to EGFR TKIs. Mechanisms of resistance to reversible EGFR TKIs should be further clarified and could be related to modifications in DNA repair. The presence of double mutations (T790M plus either L858R or del 19) at the time of diagnosis could be much more frequent than originally thought. The sensitivity to EGFR TKIs could be greatly influenced by the expression of genes involved in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks by homologous recombination and non-homologous end joining.