Dr. Reimuth Discusses Studies Looking at Resistance to EGFR TKIs in NSCLC

Niels Reinmuth, MD, PhD, leader of the Thoracic Oncology Department, Asklepios Lung Clinic, discusses ongoing studies looking at resistance to EGFR TKIs in patients with EGFR-positive non—small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

There are a number of ongoing trials with osimertinib (Tagrisso) in which researchers are collecting tissue samples and performing liquid biopsies at the time of diagnosis and at the time of disease progression. Reinmuth says the field is eagerly awaiting the results of the studies as they could provide insight into mechanisms of resistance. There are also similar studies looking at other EGFR TKIs like dacomitinib (Vizimpro) that may give researchers a better idea of the biology driving response and acquired resistance.

In addition, ongoing studies are looking to overcome resistance with combination therapies that can be administered either as a frontline regimen or as a second-line treatment after resistance to osimertinib. These combinations include an EGFR TKI with chemotherapy, an antiangiogenic agent, immunotherapy, and other modalities, Reinmuth says.