Dr. Langer Discusses Afatinib in EGFR-Positive NSCLC

Corey J. Langer, MD, Professor of Medicine, Hematology/Oncology Division, University of Pennsylvania, Abramson Cancer Center, discusses integrating the irreversible pan-HER inhibitor afatinib into the treatment paradigm for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Afatinib may have an advantage over erlotinib for the frontline treatment of patients with NSCLC who harbor EGFR mutations, Langer states. However, whether or not this treatment becomes a preferred frontline therapy relies on reimbursement, pricing, and availability. Outside of this, based on efficacy and toxicity profiles, Langer believes erlotinib and afatinib are equivalent treatments for newly diagnosed patients with EGFR mutations.