Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 15, 2025

Establishment and Characterization of Three Afatinib-resistant Lung Adenocarcinoma PC-9 Cell Lines Developed with Increasing Doses of Afatinib
Published on: June 26, 2019
Dacomitinib as a retreatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patient with an uncommon EGFR mutation
Ayako Morita1, Shinobu Hosokawa2, Kotaro Yamada2
1Department of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine, Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan.
Abstract:
In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are mutations other than Ex19 deletion and Ex21 L858R, which are common mutations highly sensitive to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Afatinib, a second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in patients with uncommon mutations. Dacomitinib, another second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has not previously been shown to be effective in patients with uncommon mutations. Here, we report the efficacy of dacomitinib for uncommon EGFR mutations in a 71-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with uncommon EGFR mutation (Ex18 G719A). Afatinib was administered as the first-line treatment, and a remarkable antitumor effect was observed. However, the tumor grew after 14 months. Pemetrexed plus carboplatin followed by pemetrexed, docetaxel, atezolizumab and S-1 were performed in sequence. Although approximately four years had passed since the start of treatment, her physical condition was good. The patient started dacomitinib as the sixth-line treatment. Lesions were markedly reduced and treatment with dacomitinib was continued for 7.8 months. Dacomitinib is a possible treatment option for NSCLC with uncommon mutations.
Insights
Dacomitinib shows efficacy in treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. This finding expands treatment options for patients with these specific genetic alterations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Medical Genetics
Background:
- Uncommon epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are associated with varied responses to targeted therapies.
- Second-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like afatinib demonstrate efficacy against these uncommon mutations.
Observation:
- A 71-year-old woman with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and an uncommon EGFR Ex18 G719A mutation initially responded well to first-line afatinib.
- Following disease progression after 14 months and subsequent lines of therapy, the patient received dacomitinib, another second-generation EGFR-TKI.
Findings:
- Dacomitinib treatment resulted in marked reduction of metastatic lesions.
- The patient continued dacomitinib for 7.8 months, indicating a positive response to this agent in later-line therapy.
Implications:
- Dacomitinib represents a potential therapeutic option for patients with NSCLC harboring uncommon EGFR mutations.
- This case report highlights the clinical utility of exploring various EGFR-TKIs for distinct mutation profiles in NSCLC.
More Related Videos
09:38Establishing Dual Resistance to EGFR-TKI and MET-TKI in Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells In Vitro with a 2-step Dose-escalation Procedure
Published on: August 11, 2017
04:36Comet Assay to Quantify DNA Damage in FLT3 Mutant-expressing 32D Cells after Exposure to Type I and Type II FLT3 Inhibitors
Published on: October 17, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Treatment Resistant Cancers
Targeted Cancer Therapies
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
Cancer Therapies
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...