An EGFR mutation refers to a change (damage) to the portion of the DNA in a cell which carries the “recipe” for making EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) proteins. A mutation, or change in the EGFR gene causes the production of higher than normal amounts of EGFR proteins, leading to the growth and spread of cancer cells.
EGFR positive lung cancer refers to lung cancers that test positive for an EGFR mutation and are more common in women than in men.
There are currently five FDA-approved targeted therapies in the United States available to treat first line EGFR positive lung adenocarcinoma. Tagrisso is currently the standard-of-care. Post-Tagrisso treatments can vary depending on what liquid/tissue biopsies show.
