Significant effect of dacomitinib/dacomitinib in the treatment of EGFR mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer often face a progression-free survival limit of 9-13 months when treated with traditional EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as gefitinib or erlotinib. However, with the gradual emergence of drug resistance, the search for more efficient EGFR inhibitors has become crucial. In this context, dacomitinib/dacomitinib, a covalent pan-HER inhibitor, provides a new treatment option for patients previously treated with gefitinib or erlotinib and has demonstrated clinical activity.

To further explore the therapeutic effect of dacomitinib, an open-label, multi-center phase 2 clinical trial was conducted in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The study focused on patients with clinical or molecular characteristics associated with response to EGFR inhibitor treatment. Participants received dacomitinib at a dose of 45 mg or 30 mg orally once daily until disease progression, drug toxicity became unacceptable, or the patient chose to discontinue the drug. The study examined dacomitinib activity in all patients using standard response assessment criteria for solid tumors.

The trial results showed that among the enrolled patients, 45 (51%) carried EGFR activating mutations in exon 19 or exon 21. Among the overall enrolled population, the 4-month progression-free survival rate reached 76.8%. Among patients with EGFR mutations, this proportion is as high as 95.5%.

It is worth emphasizing that cancer is a highly complex disease and its cure requires a multifaceted and comprehensive effort. Although dacomitinib has shown significant therapeutic effects in some settings, it does not guarantee complete cure of cancer in all patients. Successful cancer treatment also relies on early diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment plan, and the patient's overall health.