The mechanism of action of different generations of EGFR-inhibitors in malignant lung tumors. Literature review and data synthesis

Abstract

Knowledge of the molecular characteristics of the progression of non-small cell lung tumors currently provides the patient with the best treatment options. One of the most well-known and studied genetic abnormalities is a mutation in the EGFR gene, which makes the tumor sensitive to therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. In the conditions of the existence of several therapeutic options at once, it is required to know not only the results of clinical trials, but also the fundamental features of the mechanisms of action of a particular drug. The article contains a literature review, presenting the features of the functioning of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor), the mechanisms of action of EGFR inhibitors of different generations (erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, osimertinib), generalization and analysis of the main differences between them.