Osimertinib As First-Line Treatment of EGFR Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Suresh S Ramalingam1, James C-H Yang1, Chee Khoon Lee1

  • 1Suresh S. Ramalingam, Emory University School of Medicine, Winship Cancer Institute, Atlanta, GA; James C.-H. Yang, National Taiwan University and National Taiwan University Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan; Chee Khoon Lee, St George Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales; Thomas John, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Takayasu Kurata, Kansai Medical University Hirakata Hospital, Osaka; Naoyuki Nogami, National Hospital Organization Shikoku Cancer Center, Matsuyama; Yuichiro Ohe, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa-City, Japan; Dong-Wan Kim, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Helen Mann, AstraZeneca, Macclesfield; Yuri Rukazenkov and Serban Ghiorghiu, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, United Kingdom; Daniel Stetson, Aleksandra Markovets, J. Carl Barrett, and Kenneth S. Thress, AstraZeneca, Waltham; and Pasi A. Jänne, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Belfer Center for Applied Cancer Science, Boston, MA.

Insights

Osimertinib showed strong clinical activity and safety in treatment-naïve patients with EGFR-mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. The study found no evidence of acquired EGFR T790M mutation in postprogression plasma samples.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations (EGFRm) often requires targeted therapies.
  • Osimertinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) effective against sensitizing and T790M resistance mutations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the clinical activity and safety of first-line osimertinib in treatment-naïve patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC.
  • To investigate mechanisms of osimertinib resistance using plasma samples.

Main Methods:

  • The AURA study enrolled 60 treatment-naïve patients with EGFRm advanced NSCLC into two cohorts receiving osimertinib (80 mg or 160 mg daily).
  • Objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by investigators.
  • Plasma samples were analyzed for resistance mechanisms after disease progression.

Main Results:

  • Overall ORR was 77% across both doses, with median PFS of 20.5 months.
  • In patients with postprogression plasma samples, 50% had no detectable circulating tumor DNA.
  • Nine patients exhibited putative resistance mechanisms, including MET amplification and various mutations (MEK1, KRAS, PIK3CA, EGFR C797S, JAK2), but acquired EGFR T790M was not detected.

Conclusions:

  • Osimertinib demonstrated significant efficacy, including a robust ORR and prolonged PFS, as a first-line treatment for EGFRm advanced NSCLC.
  • No acquired EGFR T790M mutation was identified in postprogression plasma samples, suggesting alternative resistance pathways.

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