First-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in EGFR mutation: positive non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are important agents in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and have enhanced activity in the subpopulation of patients with NSCLC who harbor somatic activating mutations of the EGFR gene. This review summarizes the data describing the use of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors in a genotype-directed population of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations and discusses areas that require further study.