Anne S. Tsao, MD of MD Anderson Cancer Center discusses two reasons Osimertinib is good for first line treatment such as its good toxicity profile and how it crosses the blood brain barrier. With the recent FDA breakthrough designation for Osimertinib, it has been a big progress for EGFR mutated patients. Dr. Tsao used Osimertinib as first-line therapy to her patients, especially for newly diagnosed patients. Osimertinib is beneficial for two main reasons good toxicity profile and crossing blood brain barrier. These benefits reduces the arise of CNS metastases and the PFS was quite profound, as well as the overall survival benefit in FLAURA (Osimertinib versus the first generation EGFR TKI).
Although in the long run other resistant mechanisms may arise, but for now, the most important is the CNS metastases prevention and the quality of life. Hence, Dr. Tsao is giving Osimertinib as front-line for EGFR mutated patients.