Osimertinib is an effective epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor choice for lung cancer with epidermal growth factor receptor exon 18-25 kinase domain duplication: report of two cases

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an effective treatment for common EGFR mutations in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Rarer EGFR mutations such as kinase domain duplications (KDDs) have been identified, but the optimal therapy following treatment resistance remains unknown. We report two patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC including KDD. For case 1, afatinib (40 mg once daily) was at first effective but then became ineffective. Consequently, osimertinib therapy (80 mg once daily) was administered. As of 26 May 2021, the osimertinib therapy achieved a stable disease state according to the chest computed tomography scan. As for case 2, the patient received second-line chemotherapy and anlotinib (12 mg once daily) for 6 months and died in May 2020. Here, we describe osimertinib as an effective therapy for EGFR-KDD positive lung adenocarcinoma and thereby provide a new alternative for further treatment following resistance to first- and second-generation EGFR-TKIs.