Real-world testing practices, treatment patterns, and outcomes of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: An international study
Cancer Treatment and Research Communications, vol.48, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 48
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2026.101282
- Journal Name: Cancer Treatment and Research Communications
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Keywords: Biomarker testing turnaround time, Epidermal growth factor receptor, Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Non-small cell lung cancer, Real-world data, TKI tyrosine kinase inhibitors
- Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Objectives: To describe epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation (EGFRm) testing practices and treatment patterns in EGFRm-positive patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate clinical outcomes. Methods: Data were drawn from a cross-sectional, retrospective chart review of adult patients with advanced/metastatic NSCLC in Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, India, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, and Türkiye between June–September 2021. Eligible patients had an initial advanced/metastatic stage NSCLC diagnosis, and positive first EGFRm test between April 2017–March 2018. Data were reported from NSCLC diagnosis to end of follow-up (June-2020) or death. Index was the receipt date of EGFRm result. Analyses were descriptive. Results: Overall, 208 physicians reported data on 947 patients. Mean (standard deviation) age at diagnosis was 60.3 (10.9) years and 79.4% had an ECOG 0–1. EGFRm was identified by single-gene (64.0%) and multi-gene (36.0%) panel testing. Median (interquartile range) turnaround time was 14 (10–22) days. Prior to and following index, 26.9% and 68.6% of patients, respectively, were administered EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) as first-line (1 L) treatment. Disease progression occurred in 60.4% and 70.1% pre-index and post-index, respectively. Among those receiving 1 L EGFR-TKI, partial response was reported in 56.5% of patients pre-index and in 65.0% post-index. The median overall survival on post-index 1 L EGFR-TKI was not reached. Conclusion: EGFRm status was mostly determined by single-gene testing, and around one-quarter of patients were prescribed pre-index 1 L EGFR-TKI. Further research into outcomes for EGFRm-positive patients not receiving 1 L EGFR-TKI, and pre-index vs post-index treatment would be valuable.