title: EGFR inhibitors as first-line therapy in EGFR mutation-positive patients with NSCLC.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this review article is to describe the recent data supporting the use of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the first-line setting of EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR receptor TKIs were originally developed in unselected NSCLC patients and demonstrated modest clinical benefit compared to placebo. With the discovery of improved benefits in the approximately 16% of NSCLC patients with an EGFR mutation, trials in selected populations were undertaken, demonstrating comparable efficacy to standard chemotherapy with an improved toxicity profile. The most common toxicity is rash, sometimes requiring dose adjustment and discontinuation and the most serious toxicity is interstitial lung disease, which occurs in about 1% of patients treated with EGFR receptor TKIs and is fatal in 30% who develop this toxicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The EGFR receptor TKIs are an effective therapy in EGFR-mutated NSCLC and are recommended as first-line therapy for those with advanced or metastatic disease.
authors: Division of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
authors: Kimberly J
authors: KJ
authors: Gorden
authors: Parvin
authors: P
authors: Mesbah
authors: Jill M
authors: JM
authors: Kolesar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000639:trends; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors