Dr. Scagliotti Discusses EGFR Mutations in NSCLC

Giorgio V. Scagliotti, MD, PhD, head of the Thoracic Oncology Unit, Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, San Luigi Hospital, Orbassano, Italy, explains that the identification of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in the subset of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has greatly changed the survival expectations in stage IV NSCLC.

Scagliotti discusses the benefit patients receive simply by taking one pill a day, gefitinib or erlotinib, both tyrosine kinase inhibitors. This benefit has been established using multiple trials that looked at several demographic factors. These trials have showed an increase in the progression free survival of patients receiving EGFR-TKIs.