Ramalingam Compares Third Generation EGFR TKI Osimertinib to Older Agents in NSCLC

Suresh S. Ramalingam, MD, deputy director, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, discusses how the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) osimertinib (Tagrisso) compared with other EGFR inhibitors for patients withEGFR-mutant lung cancer.

As a third-generation EGFR inhibitor, osimertinib is very specific for EGFR compared with other EGFR inhibitors. The tolerability profile is also more favorable because osimertinib has fewer effects on the wildtypeEGFR-bearing cells, says Ramalingam.

Osimertinib also has better CNS penetration than the other EGFR TKIs. Research has shown that 40% to 45% of patients withEGFRmutations will develop brain metastases during the course of their disease at some point, so having an agent like osimertinib which has better CNS penetration is important. Finally, Ramalingam says that osimertinib can inhibit T790M, in addition to exon 19 and exon 21.

For more information from Ramalingam on osimertinib inEGFR-mutant lung cancer:https://www.targetedonc.com/news/updated-flaura-data-support-fda-approval-of-osimertinib-in-egfr-nsclc.