Role of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutational Testing in Personalising the Treatment of Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Better methods of combating non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are constantly being sought. The recent movement towards the implementation of a personalised approach to treatment in oncology is a positive step in this direction. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) drugs such as gefitinib (Iressa®) and erlotinib (Tarceva®) are approved for the treatment of certain types and stages of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is now possible to determine the likelihood of response of a given patient’s tumour to treatment with this type of cancer drug using molecular diagnostic methods that detect the presence or absence of specific EGFR mutations. These diagnostic and therapeutic advances offer the potential to improve patient care and bring new hope to cancer patients.