Phase 2 study of poziotinib for HER2 exon 20 mutant non-small-cell lung cancer

Currently, there are no targeted therapies approved for patients with HER2 exon 20 mutant NSCLC. A phase II study at MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, TX) evaluated the irreversible covalent tyrosine kinase inhibitor poziotinib for advanced HER2 exon 20 mutant NSCLC. Poziotinib had promising antitumor activity, including in patients who had previously received platinum-based chemotherapy. The objective response rate was 27% (95% CI, 12 to 46). The most common severe adverse events were skin rash and diarrhea. The authors conclude that poziotinib may be a new therapeutic option for HER2 exon 20 mutant NSCLC.