Personalized care for patients with EGFR-mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer: Navigating early to advanced disease management

The discovery of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene has revolutionized the management of lung cancer, enabling the development of targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). These therapies offer improved survival and reduced side effects compared with conventional treatments. Recent advancements have significantly reshaped the treatment paradigm for EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer. TKIs are now incorporated into the management of early stage and locally advanced disease, and phase 3 trials have explored combination strategies in metastatic settings. Although these intensified approaches improve progression-free survival, they come with increased toxicity and higher costs, underscoring the need for precise patient selection to maximize benefit. Emerging data on biomarkers, such as co-mutations and circulating tumor DNA, show promise for refining treatment decisions. In addition, significant progress in understanding resistance mechanisms to EGFR TKIs has broadened therapeutic options. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of EGFR-mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer, highlighting recent breakthroughs and discussing strategies to optimize treatment based on the latest evidence.