Is afatinib a treatment option for brain metastases in patients with EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer?

Treatment for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) depends on the molecular characteristics of the tumor. Mutations of the gene for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are present in ~32% of Asians and ~7% of individuals of other ethnic groups with NSCLC, with deletions in exon 19 and an L858R point mutation in exon 21 accounting for ~90% of such genetic alterations detected at diagnosis (1). NSCLC tumors that harbor EGFR mutations are oncogene addicted and therefore usually sensitive to treatment with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).