Welcome to the newsletter from the EGFR Patient Gateway – your place for the latest information about EGFR-positive lung cancer.
Since our last edition, we’ve seen some major advances for people living with EGFR+ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
On June 23, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of datopotamab deruxtecan for metastatic, EGFR-mutated NSCLC. This antibody-drug conjugate (or ADC) acts like a “smart chemotherapy” to bring the drug to the tumor cells while leaving healthy tissue unharmed.
Soon after came another approval. On July 2, the FDA announced the approval of sunvozertinib, an oral targeted therapy for the treatment of NSCLC with EGFR exon 20 insertion (exon20ins) mutations. Sunvozertinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) approved for use after the cancer has stopped responding to chemotherapy.
Other exciting treatments are on the horizon. One example, zipalertinib, is being studied to treat NSCLC with EGFR exon20ins. This research has demonstrated promising results including treatment of brain metastases.
Researchers are also continuing to build on our understanding of drug resistance (the ways the tumor is able to survive treatment and eventually begin to grow again). Several types of drug resistance have been described for EGFR+ NSCLC, including resistance caused by the MET pathway. Researchers are working to target this MET pathway and the EGFR pathway in a double-punch to tumor cells using savolitinib and osimertinib. The results in clinical trials have been encouraging.
Several combination treatments have demonstrated benefits to patient survival. However, researchers are noting that the burden of side effects from two treatments is often greater than the side effects from taking a single treatment. In addition, some treatments are pills taken at home and others may be infusions that require clinic visits. Patient advocates are encouraging researchers to also consider the quality of life for patients as these treatment regimens are being developed and tested.
And finally, much of the progress that we’ve seen in metastatic EGFR+ NSCLC is being tested in earlier stages of disease, with the goal of bringing more options to patients diagnosed with early or locally advanced EGFR+ NSCLC.
There is certainly a lot of excitement, progress, and hope for patients living with EGFR-positive lung cancer.
Research News
Eric K. Singhi and Jarushka Naidoo Highlighted Study On Pooled Analysis of Datopotamab Deruxtecan in patients with EGFR–mutated NSCLC
News Break
June 13, 2025
Sunvozertinib Earns FDA Accelerated Approval in EGFR Exon 20+ NSCLC
News Break
July 2, 2025
Zipalertinib Offers Promising Oral Option for EGFR Exon 20+ NSCLC
News Break
June 6, 2025
NTRK1-fusion as an acquired resistance mechanism in EGFRex19 mutated NSCLC: a case report
Frontiers Blog
August 6, 2025
Prioritizing Patient QOL in EGFR-Mutated NSCLC Treatment
News Break
June 12, 2025
Key Takeaways and Future Directions in the Management of EGFR-mutant NSCLC
News Break
August 5, 2025
Get Connected
Registration is Open!
International Lung Cancer Survivorship Conference
This free, virtual conference will give you a better understanding of the science behind your disease so you can collaborate more effectively with your healthcare team. Connect in real time with specialists and patient advocates who understand your specific diagnosis, hear inspiring survivor stories, and learn how to use your voice in research and policy advocacy. This online conference is September 26-27, 2025. Register today.
Join us for the EGFR Virtual Meetup
This is an easy way to build your community. On the first Wednesday of each month, you can connect with others who understand what it’s like to live with EGFR+ lung cancer. The next EGFR Meetup is happening on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 12 pm ET.
Register for this virtual meetup to get a confirmation email with details about how to join the meeting. New attendees are always welcome and encouraged to join! Can’t make it? Don’t worry, there’s a full list of virtual meetups to fit your schedule.
Have You Seen?
A Path to Ending Drug Resistance in Lung Cancer
When advanced-stage lung cancer is treated, tumors often shrink and symptoms improve. But hidden within the progress are drug-tolerant persister cells (DTPCs)—a small population of cancer cells that survive treatment and can spark relapse. Researchers, the EGFR Resisters and LUNGevity are working to uncover how these stubborn cells grow—and, more importantly, how to stop them. Learn more.
Why Do Some People Who’ve Never Smoked Get Lung Cancer?
Lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked (LCINS) is becoming more common. These people are often younger women with no history of tobacco exposure. Researchers are working to understand the needs of this growing population by identifying other risk factors for lung cancer, such as family history and environmental exposures. Learn more.
Integrative Oncology and Lung Cancer: Adding Complementary Therapy
Does aromatherapy actually work? Can regular yoga practice be done during lung cancer treatment? The answers to these questions (and more) are being studied by lung cancer experts. Integrative oncology is about how to safely incorporate nutritional supplements and other complementary therapy into your treatment plan. Learn more.
… and there is always so much more to explore on the EGFR Patient Gateway.
If you were forwarded this email and you’d like to subscribe to this newsletter, you can sign up here.
If you need further assistance along your lung cancer journey, please email us at support@lungevity.org. Our team is always here to assist you.
