Analysis of Reported Adverse Events for First, Second, and Third Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (EGFR, TKIs)

One of the main causes of death from cancer globally is non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutated non-small cell lung cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) have grown into an effective targeted therapy that improves quality of life and prolongs survival. However, their usage is frequently linked to several negative outcomes, which may have an impact on patients’ quality of life and commitment to therapy. This paper focuses on reported adverse events for EGFR TKIs, comparing the safety profiles of first-, second-, and third-generation inhibitors and evaluating how these profiles influence optimal treatment decisions for EGFR-driven NSCLC. Adverse event data for gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, and osimertinib were obtained from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and visualized using charts on Google Sheets. Osimertinib, a third-generation TKI, accounted for the majority of reported adverse events among the four EGFR TKIs that were examined. Death, cancer progression, diarrhea, and rash were the most frequently reported side effects of all TKIs, and altogether, females accounted for 59.2% of all reported adverse events for which sex was specified. These results show the importance of considering adverse events for EGFR TKIs in treating patients with NSCLC. Although effective, these drugs are accompanied by a range of notable adverse effects.