Biomarkers of clinical benefit for anti-epidermal growth factor receptor agents in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Br J Cancer. 2011 Jun 28;105(1):1-8. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2011.207. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Abstract

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains by far the major cause of cancer-related death in the Western world in both men and women. The majority of patients will be diagnosed with metastatic disease, and chemotherapy doublets remain the cornerstone of treatment for these patients. However, chemotherapy has a minimal impact on long-term survival and prognosis remains poor for these patients. Further improvement in treatment is likely to require incorporation of novel targeted therapies. Among these agents, inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have demonstrated significant activity in the first-, second- or third-line treatment of NSCLC. The purpose of current paper is to present the evidence for using several proposed molecular biomarkers as a tool for selection of NSCLC patients for anti-EGFR treatment. According to current data, EGFR mutation status appears to be the strongest predictor for the selection of NSCLC patients to first-line treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors vs chemotherapy. Use of other biomarkers remains investigational.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Prognosis
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • VEGFA protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A