EGFR Mutation and Tyrosine-Kinase Inhibitors (TKI) in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer: An Overview

Abstract

ABSTRACT-Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer related mortality worldwide. The epidermal-growthfactor receptor (EGFR) cascades the signaling pathway that regulates tumor-cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, metastasis, and apoptosis. Since EGFR is often over-expressed in NSCLC and the level of EGFR expression correlates with poor prognosis. EGFR inhibitors have been developed as a novel therapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib is the first molecular targeted agent approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC. It is a highly effective EGFR TK inhibitor (TKI) selectively blocks the signal transduction pathways implicated in cancer growth.