The goal of this protocol is to determine mechanisms of resistance to epidermal growth factor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKI) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A number of trials have shown small molecule kinase inhibitors to be active agents in the treatment of NSCLC \[1\]. Clinically these drugs have been noted to produce dramatic but infrequent responses. Mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor have been shown to correlate with sensitivity to gefitinib and erlotinib\[2,3\]. However, we know that most patients who have initial responses to EGFR-TKI eventually progress. The mechanism of acquired clinical resistance to these inhibitors in patients incompletely understood.
This is a protocol to study clinical characteristics and biopsy tissue of patients with non-small cell lung cancer who have had previous clinical response to small molecule kinase inhibitors and subsequently experience progression of disease. The tissues and other specimens will be used to carry out laboratory studies to explore the molecular basis of sensitivity and resistance to small molecule kinase inhibitors.
