Journal Article

Mechanisms of EGFR-TKI-Induced Apoptosis and Strategies Targeting Apoptosis in EGFR-Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Yoshida, Hitoshi, Ohmori, Tohru, Manabe, Ryo, Ishikawa, Fumihiro, Kusumoto, Sojiro, Ando, Koichi, Kishino, Yasunari, Tsurutani, Junji, Higuchi, Kensuke, Kuroda, Yusuke, Nishihara, Shigetoshi, Yamaoka, Toshimitsu, Hasebe, Yuki, Sagara, Hironori

2022

Overview

Homeostasis is achieved by balancing cell survival and death. In cancer cells, especially those carrying driver mutations, the processes and signals that promote apoptosis are inhibited, facilitating the survival and proliferation of these dysregulated cells. Apoptosis induction is an important mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the mechanisms by which EGFR-TKIs induce apoptosis have not been fully elucidated. A deeper understanding of the apoptotic pathways induced by EGFR-TKIs is essential for the developing novel strategies to overcome resistance to EGFR-TKIs or to enhance the initial efficacy through therapeutic synergistic combinations. Recently, therapeutic strategies targeting apoptosis have been developed for cancer. Here, we review the state of knowledge on EGFR-TKI-induced apoptotic pathways and discuss the therapeutic strategies for enhancing EGFR-TKI efficiency. We highlight the great progress achieved with third-generation EGFR-TKIs. In particular, combination therapies of EGFR-TKIs with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor/receptor inhibitors or chemotherapy have emerged as promising therapeutic strategies for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Nevertheless, further breakthroughs are needed to yield an appropriate standard care for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC, which requires gaining a deeper understanding of cancer cell dynamics in response to EGFR-TKIs.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Analysis / Apoptosis / Cancer therapies / Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - drug therapy / Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - genetics / Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung - metabolism / Care and treatment / Cell death / Cell proliferation / Cell survival / cell viability / Chemotherapy / Clinical trials / Cytochrome / death / drug therapy / Epidermal growth factor / Epidermal growth factor receptors / ErbB Receptors - genetics / ErbB Receptors - metabolism / Homeostasis / Humans / Kinases / Lung cancer / Lung cancer, Non-small cell / lung neoplasms / Lung Neoplasms - drug therapy / Lung Neoplasms - genetics / Lung Neoplasms - metabolism / Mutation / neoplasm cells / Non-small cell lung carcinoma / Precision medicine / Protein Kinase Inhibitors - pharmacology / Protein Kinase Inhibitors - therapeutic use / Protein-tyrosine kinase / Proteins / Response rates / Review / Small cell lung carcinoma / Vascular endothelial growth factor