ORIENT-31 as the Sakigake “Charging Samurai” Born of IMpower150 but Will MARIPOSA-2 IMPRESS in the “Meiji Modernization” of Post-3G EGFR TKI Progression?

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have become the preferred first line therapy for those patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harboring epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Given superior progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) when compared to earlier generations, third generation EGFR TKIs have become the first choice therapy in many parts of the world. Even though multiple strategies are in development to target both “on-target” and “off-target” resistance, the continuation of EGFR TKIs at the time of progression remains a controversial topic. This commentary focuses on both the ”classic” clinical trials of IMpower150 and IMPRESS and compares them to the recently reported ORIENT-31 and ongoing MARIPOSA-2 to discuss the future therapeutic strategies in the setting of progression post-third generation EGFR TKIs.