Current progress on clinical trials using EGFR-TKI therapy in NSCLC patients with brain metastasis

Abstract

Brain metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the main cause of death in NSCLC patients. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation has been recognized as a key predictor of therapeutic sensitivity to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). EGFR-TKI alone or in combination with standard treatments is proved to be efficacious strategy for brain metastasis of NSCLC. Importantly, the new generation of EGFR-TKIs with better performance in crossing the blood brain barrier, has great potential in avoiding EGFR-TKI resistance and improving prognosis of NSCLC-brain metastasis. In the present article, we reviewed the current therapy progress and outcome of the clinical trials about EGFR-TKIs therapy in NSCLC patients with brain metastasis. Key words: Non-small cell lung cancer; Brain metastases; Epidermal growth factor receptor mutation; Tyrosine kinase inhibitors; Therapeutic outcome