# Precision navigation through the labyrinth: overcoming EGFR resistance in non-Small cell lung cancer

**Authors:** Junhui Wang, Jian Wang, Jianxin Chen

PMC · DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2574526 · Annals of Medicine · 2025-10-15

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how cancer becomes resistant to EGFR-targeted treatments and explores new strategies to overcome this resistance in lung cancer patients.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive overview of EGFR TKI resistance mechanisms and emerging therapeutic strategies in NSCLC.

## Key findings

- EGFR TKI resistance arises through multiple mechanisms, including on-target mutations and bypass pathways.
- Fourth-generation TKIs and antibody-drug conjugates show promise in overcoming resistance.
- Multi-omics and multi-dimensional biopsy approaches aid in detecting resistance early.

## Abstract

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment landscape for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). However, resistance invariably curtails their long-term efficacy. This comprehensive review delineates the intricate mechanisms underpinning EGFR TKI resistance and the evolving therapeutic counterstrategies. We present a panoramic atlas of resistance mechanisms, encompassing on-target resistance, bypass pathway activation, histologic transformation, and metabolic reprogramming, alongside their clinical classification. The discussion extends to the integrated diagnostic technologies facilitating resistance detection, including multi-dimensional biopsy approaches and multi-omics fusion analysis. We critically evaluate precision therapeutic approaches tailored to specific resistance alterations, such as C797S mutations and mesenchymal-epithelial transition amplification, and explore the burgeoning field of novel agents like fourth-generation TKIs and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Furthermore, innovative combination strategies and the challenges within resistance management systems, including toxicity profiles and unresolved scientific questions, are examined. A profound understanding of EGFR resistance mechanisms and the continuous refinement of therapeutic paradigms are paramount for improving the prognosis of NSCLC patients.

## Linked entities

- **Genes:** EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) [NCBI Gene 1956]
- **Diseases:** Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (MONDO:0005233), NSCLC (MONDO:0005233)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** TXK (TXK tyrosine kinase) [NCBI Gene 7294] {aka BTKL, PSCTK5, PTK4, RLK, TKL}, EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) [NCBI Gene 1956] {aka ERBB, ERBB1, ERRP, HER1, NISBD2, NNCIS}
- **Diseases:** toxicity (MESH:D064420), NSCLC (MESH:D002289)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]
- **Mutations:** C797S

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12529746/full.md

## Figures

2 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12529746/full.md

## References

66 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12529746/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12529746