Journal of International Oncology ›› 2026, Vol. 53 ›› Issue (4): 201-206.doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn371439-20251015-00033

• Original Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Efficacy of different treatment modalities in the real-world setting for advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients after progression on third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment

Yang Junling1, Zhang Guifang2(), Mu Zhuqing2, Huang Puchao2, Ma Xiaoyan2, Liang Jiaxin2   

  1. 1 Fourth Clinical College of Henan Medical UniversityXinxiang 453000, China
    2 Second Department of OncologyXinxiang Central Hospital of Henan ProvinceXinxiang 453000, China
  • Received:2025-10-15 Online:2026-04-08 Published:2026-04-01
  • Contact: Zhang Guifang E-mail:xxchzhangguifang@126.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the efficacy of different treatment modalities in the real-world setting for patients with advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after progression on third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 104 patients with advanced NSCLC who received third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment at Xinxiang Central Hospital of Henan Province between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024. Based on the different treatment approaches after the progression of third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment, patients were divided into two groups: Group A (n=44) continued to receive third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment, whereas Group B (n=60) discontinued it and received other therapeutic regimens. The objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) were compared between the groups. The mPFS of the two treatment approaches in patients with oligoprogression, widespread progression, and brain metastases were compared. Survival analysis was conducted using Kaplan-Meier method. The adverse reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. Results The ORR in Group A and Group B were 20.45% (9/44) and 13.33% (8/60) respectively, and the DCR were 88.64% (39/44) and 80.00% (48/60) respectively, with no statistically significant differences (χ²=0.94, P=0.332; χ²=1.39, P=0.239). The mPFS of patients in Group A and Group B were 8.3 and 6.0 months respectively, with a statistically significant difference (χ²=8.58, P=0.003). Subgroup analysis showed that the mPFS in oligoprogression patients were 8.2 and 6.8 months in Group A (n=18) and Group B (n=14), respectively; in patients with widespread progression, it was 8.4 months in Group A (n=26) and 6.0 months in Group B (n=46), respectively; in patients with brain metastases, it was 8.4 months in Group A (n=27) and 6.0 months in Group B (n=32), with statistically significant differences (χ²=4.03, P=0.045; χ²=4.51, P=0.034; χ²=8.05, P=0.005). In terms of safety, the incidence rates of grade ≥3 adverse reactions in Group A and Group B were 25.00% (11/44) and 16.67% (10/60), respectively, with no statistically significant difference (χ²=1.09, P=0.296). All adverse reactions in both groups were relieved after symptomatic treatment, and no cases of drug discontinuation due to intolerable adverse reactions occurred. Conclusions For advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients after progression on third-generation EGFR-TKI treatment, continued treatment with the EGFR-TKIs significantly prolongs mPFS compared to other therapeutic regimens that discontinue the EGFR-TKIs. However, no significant differences are observed in the ORR, DCR and safety between the two treatment approaches.

Key words: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung, Genes, erbB-1, Receptor protein-tyrosine kinases, Treatment outcome