EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Overview

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Learn About EGFR Positive Lung Cancer

View Main Condition: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

What is the definition of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor, is a protein that is important for proper cell growth and division. In some cases of non-small cell lung cancer, a mutation can cause EGFR to be overexpressed, resulting in uncontrolled cell growth. Roughly 15% of cases of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States involve an EGFR mutation.
What are the causes of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
The majority of EGFR mutations are somatic, meaning that changes in DNA occur during a person's lifetime instead of being inherited. These types of mutations may occur from smoking or secondhand smoke exposure, air pollution, asbestos or radon exposure, or exposure to certain metals or chemicals. EGFR mutations tend to affect certain populations more than others including people of Asian heritage, women, and individuals with lung adenocarcinoma. Less commonly, individuals can inherit a mutation in the EGFR gene known as T790M when they are born. This mutation can put those individuals at a higher risk for developing lung cancer.
What are the symptoms of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Early EGFR positive lung cancer may not cause any symptoms. As the condition progresses, individuals may experience chronic cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and chest pain. Symptoms that appear in the later stages of EGFR positive lung cancer may include hoarseness or changing voice, difficulty swallowing, eyelid drooping, facial swelling, nail abnormalities, bone, joint, and shoulder pain, and weakness.
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What are the current treatments for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Depending on the stage of EGFR positive lung cancer as well as the specific mutation involved, there are a variety of options available. If the cancer has not spread and is in an early stage, individuals may be able to undergo surgery to completely remove the cancer. There are also a variety of drug options called EGFR inhibitors that prevent unregulated cell growth. Some examples of EGFR inhibitors include Afatinib (Gilotrif), Erlotinib (Tarceva), Gefitinib (Iressa), Osimertinib (Tagrisso), Dacomitinib (Vizimpro), and Necitumumab (Portrazza). Treatment plans, including the type of EGFR inhibitor used, are typically specialized based on the specific EGFR mutation. Individuals with EGFR positive lung cancer may also be able to take part in clinical trials that offer newer or more experimental treatments.
Who are the top EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Local Doctors?
Joshua K. Sabari
Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Joshua K. Sabari
Hematology Oncology | Oncology
Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Joshua K. Sabari
Hematology Oncology | Oncology

New York University

160 E 34th St, 
New York, NY 
212-263-7300
Languages Spoken:
English
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Joshua Sabari is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in New York, New York. Dr. Sabari is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, Tissue Biopsy, and Thrombectomy.

Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Heather A. Wakelee
Oncology
Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Heather A. Wakelee
Oncology

Stanford Health Care

300 Pasteur Dr, 
Stanford, CA 
650-723-4000
Languages Spoken:
English
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Heather Wakelee is an Oncologist in Stanford, California. Dr. Wakelee is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Thymic Epithelial Tumor, Thymectomy, and Tissue Biopsy.

 
 
 
 
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Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Christopher G. Azzoli
Oncology | Hematology
Elite in EGFR Positive Lung Cancer
Dr. Christopher G. Azzoli
Oncology | Hematology

Rhode Island Hospital

593 Eddy St, Apc 138, 
Providence, RI 
401-444-5435
Languages Spoken:
English
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Offers Telehealth

Christopher Azzoli is an Oncologist and a Hematologist in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Azzoli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. His top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, and Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC).

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What are the support groups for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Groups such as EGFR Resisters (https://egfrcancer.org/) offer support for individuals with EGFR positive lung cancer. There are also support groups that focus more generally on non-small cell lung cancer: Cancer Support Community: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer - https://www.cancersupportcommunity.org/non-small-cell-lung-cancer American Lung Association, Lung Cancer Support Groups - https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/lung-cancer/patients/find-support/support-groups
What is the outlook (prognosis) for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Many targeted treatments have been developed for EGFR positive lung cancer in recent years, which has given patients much more hope. Individuals who receive an early diagnosis and/or targeted treatments are likely to have the best outcomes.
What are the possible complications of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Complications of EGFR positive lung cancer can include shortness of breath, fluid accumulation around the lung and in the chest (pleural effusion), coughing up blood (hemoptysis), pain, nausea, headache. There is also a chance that cancer can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body through tissue, the lymph system, or blood.
When should I contact a medical professional for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
It is important to call your doctor if you have symptoms of lung cancer, chronic cough, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, wheezing, fatigue, loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss, and chest pain, especially if you smoke. After receiving a non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis, individuals can undergo genetic testing to identify any genetic abnormalities such as EGFR mutations.
What are the latest EGFR Positive Lung Cancer Clinical Trials?
A Phase 1, First in Human, Open-Label Multicenter Study to Evaluate ALX2004, an Antibody Drug Conjugate Targeting EGFR in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Select Solid Tumors
A Phase 1, First in Human, Open-Label Multicenter Study to Evaluate ALX2004, an Antibody Drug Conjugate Targeting EGFR in Participants With Advanced or Metastatic Select Solid Tumors
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 14, 2025
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Phase: Phase 1

Summary: A Phase 1, First in Human, Open-Label Multicenter Study to Evaluate ALX2004, an Antibody Drug Conjugate Targeting EGFR in Participants with Advanced or Metastatic Select Solid Tumors

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Phase II Study of Osimertinib (AZD9291) in Advanced NSCLC Patients With Exon 20 Insertion Mutations in EGFR
Phase II Study of Osimertinib (AZD9291) in Advanced NSCLC Patients With Exon 20 Insertion Mutations in EGFR
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: October 14, 2025
Intervention Type: Procedure, Drug
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: This phase II trial studies how well osimertinib works in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR exon 20 insertion mutation that is stage IIIB-IV or has come back after a period of improvement (recurrent). Osimertinib may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth.

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