Epidermal growth factor receptor as target of molecular-targeted therapy in patients with primary non-small cell lung cancer

Epidermal Grows factor receptor (EGFR) is one of the most significant and studied signaling pathway, regulating growth, survival, proliferation and differentiation of mamllian cells. At the same time EGFR and its protein family play a central role in pathogenesis and progression of different type of tumors. In the 80-s, it was proposed that this signaling pathway could be the target for the therapy. Today there are 3 generations of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). This drug class is actively used in clinical practice for therapy of patients with EGFR mutation positive advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Investigation of TKIs is continuing. In this review, the options of TKI use in the adjuvant setting and the 1st line treatment of advanced NSCLC are highlighted.