A central question since the introduction of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) like Tarceva (erlotinib) and Iressa (gefitinib) has been how best to use them. Specifically, one standard way that we integrate new agents in cancer care is to combine them with the treatment that is our current standard of care.

This week I happened to see a man in my clinic who I had first met at the time of his diagnosis with metastatic lung cancer more than five years ago. He's from another part of Washington state, and this was his first time back with me to revisit treatment options.