Dacomitinib, an emerging HER-targeted therapy for non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. As much as 85% of primary lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) (1). A major characteristic of NSCLC is aberrant signaling pathways, including those mediated by the human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) family of receptor tyrosine kinases, HER1 (epidermal growth factor receptor; EGFR), HER2, HER3 and HER4. At least one member of the HER family of receptors are expressed in 90% of solid tumors with 60% of these tumors containing abnormalities in a HER family member contributing to tumor development (2).