Geoff Oxnard, M.D.: Strategies for Overcoming Acquired Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer

http://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.5858/arpa.2012-0254-RA

SPECIAL SECTION—HOUSTON LUNG SYMPOSIUM

Strategies for Overcoming Acquired Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor–Targeted Therapies in Lung Cancer

Geoffrey R. Oxnard, MDArchives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine: October 2012, Vol. 136, No. 10, pp. 1205-1209. Acquired resistance to targeted therapy in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)–mutant lung cancer represents a valuable model for considering strategies of overcoming different types of cellular resistance mechanisms. Using existing data on resistance in EGFR-mutant lung cancer, this review will discuss 3 basic approaches for overcoming resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies: intensification of EGFR inhibition, combination of EGFR inhibitors with other targeted therapies, and changing to anticancer therapies acting via alternate pathways.