Abstract
Introduction:
Treatment paradigms for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have successfully evolved since the introduction of osimertinib. The detection of EGFR T790M mutation in plasma or tumor samples obtained at disease progression to first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors is mandatory for osimertinib prescription. Nevertheless, pharmacokinetics properties of osimertinib guarantee its usefulness in central nervous system (CNS) disease even in the case of T790M-negative or unknown status.
Patients and methods:
In this brief report, we share the clinical histories of two patients with CNS-preeminent progression under first-/second-generation EGFR inhibitors in which it was not possible to document the presence of T790M resistance mutation.
Results:
Patient outcomes diverged dramatically due to the differential availability of off-label osimertinib.
Conclusions:
Waiting for the novel molecule to be approved and licensed in first-line treatment, our report of hope and frustration is intended to stress the opportunity of its administration in the case of CNS failure of first-line EGFR inhibition, even in the absence of T790M proof.
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