Future oncology
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Review Comparative Study
Epidermal growth factor receptor mutations predict sensitivity to gefitinib in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer.
Despite advances in chemotherapeutics, overall survival for advanced lung cancer patients remains poor. Consequently, efforts have focused on the use of targeted therapies to improve response rates and survival. ⋯ Two recent studies published simultaneously, identified mutations in the ATP-binding cleft of the EGFR that are associated with clinical response to gefitinib. This finding has extraordinary implications and serves as a critical step toward individualized, patient-specific treatment plans based on the molecular constitution of the tumor of each individual.