For Fred Hutch News Service, Bonnie Rochman marks the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the role of EGFR gene mutations in lung cancer treatment with the story of a woman who has survived metastatic lung cancer for two decades thanks to the therapies the discovery enabled. EGFR, or epidermal growth factor receptor, is involved in cell growth and division, and with certain mutations can drive the growth of cancer. EGFR inhibitors are a class of drugs that block the action of the growth factor. Rochman weaves together the story of the patient, Diana, with the story of the science for a rich portrait of how discoveries, plus some very good timing, can turn a 3-month prognosis into years of life, and what that means for both people like Diana and the scientists and doctors who dream of making such impacts. Image of epidermal growth factor and its receptor by David Goodsell via Wikimedia Commons
