Targeted Therapies for EGFR in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 5830

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to announce the call for submissions to a Special Issue of Cancers focusing on the topic of "Targeted Therapies for EGFR in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer". Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a complex disease with various subtypes, and one of the key molecular alterations found in NSCLC is mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Targeted therapies directed toward EGFR have revolutionized the treatment landscape for NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.

This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and advancements in targeted therapies for EGFR mutations in NSCLC, with a focus on personalized treatment approaches. We invite the submissions of original research articles, reviews, and clinical studies that cover various aspects of targeted therapies for EGFR in NSCLC, including but not limited to the following:

  1. Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of EGFR in NSCLC.
  2. Identification and characterization of EGFR mutations in NSCLC.
  3. Development of EGFR-targeted therapies, including small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies.
  4. Resistance mechanisms to EGFR-targeted therapies and strategies to overcome them.
  5. Clinical trials and real-world evidence of the efficacy and safety of EGFR-targeted therapies.

We encourage contributions from researchers, clinicians, and experts in the field of lung cancer research and oncology. All submitted articles will undergo a rigorous peer review process to ensure the highest scientific quality and relevance to the field.

By consolidating the latest research findings and clinical trials, we aim to enhance our understanding of EGFR-targeted therapies in NSCLC and drive the development of more effective and personalized treatment strategies. Your valuable contributions will significantly impact the success of this Special Issue.

If you have any questions, require further information, or need any assistance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support and facilitate your participation in this Special Issue.

Thank you for your significant work in this field, and we are looking forward to receiving your valuable submissions.

Dr. Federico Pio Fabrizio
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • EGFR
  • non-small cell lung cancer
  • molecular mechanisms
  • targeted therapies
  • resistance mechanisms

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 966 KiB  
Article
Osimertinib as Second- and ≥Third-Line Treatment in Advanced and Recurrence EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patients Harboring Acquired T790M Mutation
by Mu-Han Peng, Yen-Hsiang Huang, Kuo-Hsuan Hsu, Jeng-Sen Tseng, Po-Hsin Lee, Kun-Chieh Chen, Gee-Chen Chang and Tsung-Ying Yang
Cancers 2024, 16(24), 4174; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16244174 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1120
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Osimertinib is a standard sequential therapy for advanced and recurrent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the T790M mutation, following treatment with first- or second-generation EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs). This study aims to investigate the differences [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Osimertinib is a standard sequential therapy for advanced and recurrent Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the T790M mutation, following treatment with first- or second-generation EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs). This study aims to investigate the differences in clinical outcomes between osimertinib as a 2nd-line treatment and as a ≥3rd-line treatment in this patient population. Methods: Between September 2014 and March 2023, we enrolled advanced and recurrent T790M + NSCLC patients who had received osimertinib as sequential treatment for analysis. All patients had previously been treated with gefitinib, erlotinib, or afatinib as first-line therapy. Results: A total of 158 patients who received osimertinib as sequential treatment were included in the final analysis. Of these, 99 patients (62.7%) received osimertinib as a 2nd-line treatment, while 59 patients (37.3%) were treated with osimertinib as ≥3rd-line therapy. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 10.7 months for the 2nd-line group and 8.9 months for the ≥3rd-line group. The median overall survival (OS) from first-line treatment was 73.2 months in the 2nd-line group and 57.5 months in the ≥3rd-line group. No statistically significant differences in PFS or OS were observed between the two groups. Conclusions: Our research demonstrated that osimertinib is effective not only as a 2nd-line therapy but also as a ≥3rd-line treatment, offering promising clinical benefits for advanced and recurrent EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with acquired T790M mutations who have developed resistance to first- and second-generation EGFR-TKI therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeted Therapies for EGFR in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer)
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11 pages, 871 KiB  
Article
Lazertinib versus Platinum-Based Chemotherapy with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Failing EGFR-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor: A Real-World External Comparator Study
by Junho Lee, Hyesung Lee, Dongwon Yoon, Eun-Young Choi, Jieun Woo, Bobae Jo, Sohee Kim, Ju-Young Shin and Hyun Ae Jung
Cancers 2024, 16(12), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16122169 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1733
Abstract
Background: Lazertinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-TKI) that selectively inhibit common EGFR mutation and T790M mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. No previous studies have compared lazertinib to platinum-based chemotherapy. We have compared lazertinib with [...] Read more.
Background: Lazertinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR-TKI) that selectively inhibit common EGFR mutation and T790M mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. No previous studies have compared lazertinib to platinum-based chemotherapy. We have compared lazertinib with platinum-based chemotherapy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients after previous EGFR-TKI therapy. Methods: We retrospectively compared 200 patients from LASER201, LASER301, and LASER-PMS studies to 334 patients who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy after previous EGFR-TKI from the Samsung Medical Center. After propensity score matching (PSM), we selected 156 patients from each group. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS), with overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) as secondary outcomes. Results: The median follow-up of PFS was 15.61 months in the lazertinib group and 21.67 months in the external control group. The PFS was significantly longer in patients who were treated with lazertinib than those treated with platinum-based chemotherapy (10.97 months vs. 5.10 months; adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.40; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.55; p < 0.01) after PSM. Lazertinib showed superior OS (32.23 months vs. 18.73 months; adjusted HR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.29–0.69; p < 0.001), ORR (64.1% vs. 47.4%), and TTD (11.66 months vs. 6.73 months; adjusted HR 0.54; 95% CI, 0.39–0.75; p < 0.001) compared to platinum-based chemotherapy. Conclusion: Based on this retrospective, external control study, lazertinib has demonstrated significantly better efficacy compared with platinum-based chemotherapy. The external controls provide important context to evaluate efficacy in single-arm studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeted Therapies for EGFR in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer)
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Review

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35 pages, 1042 KiB  
Review
Optimizing Osimertinib for NSCLC: Targeting Resistance and Exploring Combination Therapeutics
by Yan-You Liao, Chia-Luen Tsai and Hsiang-Po Huang
Cancers 2025, 17(3), 459; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17030459 - 29 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2370
Abstract
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations present in a substantial proportion of patients. Third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKI), exemplified by osimertinib, have dramatically improved outcomes by effectively targeting [...] Read more.
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations present in a substantial proportion of patients. Third-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKI), exemplified by osimertinib, have dramatically improved outcomes by effectively targeting the T790M mutation—a primary driver of acquired resistance to earlier-generation EGFR TKI. Despite these successes, resistance to third-generation EGFR TKIs inevitably emerges. Mechanisms include on-target mutations such as C797S, activation of alternative pathways like MET amplification, histologic transformations, and intricate tumor microenvironment (TME) alterations. These resistance pathways are compounded by challenges in tolerability, adverse events, and tumor heterogeneity. In light of these hurdles, this review examines the evolving landscape of combination therapies designed to enhance or prolong the effectiveness of third-generation EGFR TKIs. We explore key strategies that pair osimertinib with radiotherapy, anti-angiogenic agents, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and other molecularly targeted drugs, and we discuss the biological rationale, preclinical evidence, and clinical trial data supporting these approaches. Emphasis is placed on how these combinations may circumvent diverse resistance mechanisms, improve survival, and maintain a favorable safety profile. By integrating the latest findings, this review aims to guide clinicians and researchers toward more individualized and durable treatment options, ultimately enhancing both survival and quality of life for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeted Therapies for EGFR in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer)
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