Identification of driver mutations in growth related protein kinases, especially tyrosine kinases, has led to clinical development of an array of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in various malignancies, including lung cancer. Improved understanding of tyrosine kinase biology has led to faster drug development, identification of resistance mechanisms, and ways to overcome resistance. This review discusses the clinical data supporting the use and practical aspects of management of patients on epidermal growth factor receptor and anaplastic lymphoma kinase tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
