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.
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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?
HW
Dr. Heather A. Wakelee
Oncology
Elite
Highly rated in
17
conditions
Oncology

Stanford Health Care

Thoracic Cancer Program In Palo Alto

875 Blake Wilbur Dr, 
Palo Alto, CA 

Heather Wakelee is an Oncologist in Palo Alto, California. Wakelee has been practicing medicine for over 27 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. She is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Thymic Epithelial Tumor, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), and Tissue Biopsy. Wakelee is currently accepting new patients.

AT
Dr. Anne S. Tsao
Hematology Oncology | Oncology
Elite
Highly rated in
15
conditions
Hematology Oncology
Oncology

University of Texas System

University Of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

1515 Holcombe Blvd, 
Houston, TX 

Anne Tsao is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Houston, Texas. Tsao has been practicing medicine for over 25 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. She is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are Malignant Mesothelioma, Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, and Tissue Biopsy. Tsao is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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LS
Dr. Lecia V. Sequist
Hematology Oncology | Oncology
Elite
Highly rated in
11
conditions
Hematology Oncology
Oncology

Mass General Brigham

Newton-Wellesley Hospital

2014 Washington St, 
Newton, MA 

Lecia Sequist is a Hematologist Oncology specialist and an Oncologist in Newton, Massachusetts. Sequist has been practicing medicine for over 24 years and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of EGFR Positive Lung Cancer. She is also highly rated in 11 other conditions, according to our data. Her top areas of expertise are EGFR Positive Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Lung Cancer, Lung Adenocarcinoma, and Tissue Biopsy. Sequist is currently accepting new patients.

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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 2 Study of Poziotinib in Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Locally Advanced or Metastatic, With EGFR or HER2 Exon 20 Insertion Mutation (ZENITH20)
Who is this study for: Patients with non-small cell lung cancer, locally advanced or metastatic, with EGFR or HER2 exon 20 insertion mutation
Enrollment Status: Active, not recruiting
Publish Date: February 15, 2023
Intervention Type: Drug
Study Drug: Poziotinib
Study Phase: Phase 2

Summary: This is a Phase 2, open-label, multi-center study to evaluate the efficacy and the safety/tolerability of poziotinib in seven patient cohorts for up to 603 previously treated and treatment-naïve NSCLC patients. Cohorts 3 and 4 were added with Amendment 1 and three additional cohorts were added with Amendment 2 (Cohorts 5, 6 and 7).

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A Phase III, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Double-blind, Multi-center, International Study of Durvalumab With Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for the Treatment of Patients With Unresected Stage I/II, Lymph-node Negative Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (PACIFIC-4/RTOG-3515) Osimertinib Following SBRT, a Single Arm Cohort for Patients With Unresected Stage I/II, Lymph Node Negative NSCLC Harboring a Sensitizing EGFR Mutation
Who is this study for: Patients with unresected clinical Stage I/II lymph node-negative NSCLC
Enrollment Status: Recruiting
Publish Date: February 15, 2023
Intervention Type: Other, Drug
Study Drug: Durvalumab
Study Phase: Phase 3

Summary: This is a Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-center study assessing the efficacy and safety of durvalumab with SoC SBRT versus placebo with SoC SBRT in patients with unresected clinical Stage I/II lymph node-negative (T1 to T3N0M0) NSCLC. An additional cohort will assess Osimertinib following SBRT in patients with early stage unresected T1 to T3N0M0 NSCLC harbouring an ...

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What are the Latest Advances for EGFR Positive Lung Cancer?
Efficacy and safety of icotinib in the treatment of advanced EGFR mutation-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Condition: Advanced Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation-Positive Nonsmall Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Journal: Medicine
Treatment Used: Icotinib
Number of Patients: 957
Published: December 09, 2022
Osimertinib in the Treatment of EGFR Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.
Condition: EGFR Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Journal: Pharmacology
Treatment Used: Osimertinib
Number of Patients: 1848
Published: December 05, 2022
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A meta-analysis of adjuvant EGFR-TKIs for patients with EGFR mutation of resected non-small cell lung cancer.
Condition: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation of Resected Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Journal: Medicine
Treatment Used: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) vs. Adjuvant Chemotherapy (ACT)
Number of Patients: 1694
Published: December 01, 2022
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