Precedence and Promise of Covalent Inhibitors of EGFR and KRAS for Patients with Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) oncogenic mutations are leading causes for lung cancer. Extensive drug discovery efforts targeting EGFR have led to the discovery and FDA approval of both reversible and covalent inhibitors. Second and third generation covalent inhibitors for EGFR have also been described, with the latter targeting specific emerging mutations. After decades of extensive effort, KRAS is widely regarded as an intractable therapeutic target; however, recent publications suggest covalent inhibition is a promising strategy to deliver inhibitors of the KRASG12C mutation.