Guests/Speakers
Dr. Natasha Leighl, Jill Feldman
In this video you will learn the answer to these questions:
1. What does EGFR mean?
2. What does having an EGFR biomarker present mean for lung cancer patients?
3. How common is EGFR-positive lung cancer?
4. What does all this mean for treatments for EGFR-positive lung cancer patients?
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor
EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor, is a protein found on the surface of cells in the lungs. Patients with EGFR-positive lungcancer have high levels of this protein on their lung cancer cells. Having an EGFR biomarker present indicates that the lung cancer may be more likely to respond to particular treatments.
IS EGFR+ Lung Cancer Common?
An estimated 10 to 20 percent of non-small cell lung cancers are EGFR-positive, making it one of the more common forms of lung cancer. With an EGFR-positive designation, there are specific treatments available for patients. These include targeted therapies and chemotherapy drugs that can inhibit the growth and spread of the cancer cells. Clinical trials for new therapies for EGFR-positive lung cancers are also being developed and tested.
What About Treatments for EGFR-Positive Lung Cancer?
The most important thing for patients with EGFR-positive lung cancer to know is that there are treatment options available to them. Treatment plans are individualized based on the patient’s overall health, the stage at which their lung cancer was diagnosed and other genetic characteristics of the disease. Treatment plans may include any combination of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy or targeted therapy such as epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFRI). Knowing your EGFR biomarker status gives your treating physicians an opportunity to pursue tailored treatment that best suits your needs, leading to better patient outcomes.
