Dr. Patel on Optimizing Molecular Testing for EGFR Mutations in Lung Cancer

Sandip P. Patel, MD, associate professor, co-leader, Experimental Therapeutics, deputy director, San Diego Center for Precision Immunotherapy, director, Clinical Trials Office, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego Health, discusses optimizing molecular testing for EGFR mutations in lung cancer.

When testing for EGFR mutations in patients with lung cancer, it is important to test for a range of mutations, including exon 19 mutations, L858R mutations, exon 20 insertions, and atypical EGFR mutations like exon 18 alterations, Patel explains. Testing for specific EGFR mutations is critical because the results will influence treatment selection.

Therefore, utilizing precision oncology techniques in testing and treatment selection is important for patients with lung cancer, particularly as the field is gaining new targeted therapy options, Patel explains. For example, mobocertinib (Exkivity) and amivantamab-vmjw (Rybrevant) were both recently granted accelerated approvals from the FDA for use in patients with metastatic non–small cell lung cancer harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations. Other agents targeted against this specific mutation are also in clinical development. Therefore, testing for specific EGFR mutations is critical to ensure patients are matched with the most appropriate therapy for their disease, Patel concludes.