By Counterforce Health Team —

Tagrisso (Osimertinib): A Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer

Tagrisso (generic name: osimertinib) is a prescription medication used to treat certain types of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It’s part of a class of drugs called EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) and represents a major advance in targeted cancer therapy.

How Tagrisso Works

Some lung cancers grow because of a mutation in a gene called EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor). This mutation causes cancer cells to divide and spread uncontrollably.

Tagrisso works by blocking the activity of the abnormal EGFR protein, helping to slow or stop the growth of cancer cells. Unlike earlier EGFR inhibitors, Tagrisso is designed to target both the common EGFR mutation and the T790M resistance mutation, which can develop after other treatments stop working.

When It’s Used

Tagrisso may be prescribed for adults who have:

  • EGFR-mutated metastatic NSCLC, either as an initial treatment or after progression on earlier EGFR therapies.
  • Early-stage EGFR-mutated NSCLC, after surgery, to help reduce the risk of the cancer returning.

Your doctor will test your tumor (or blood) to confirm the presence of an EGFR mutation before starting treatment.

How It’s Taken

Tagrisso comes as a once-daily tablet that can be taken with or without food. Most patients take it at home as part of their long-term treatment plan.

If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered — unless the next dose is due soon.

Common Side Effects

Tagrisso is generally well-tolerated, but like all cancer medications, it can cause side effects. The most common include:

  • Diarrhea
  • Rash or dry skin
  • Fatigue
  • Nail changes
  • Cough or shortness of breath

More serious side effects can include heart rhythm changes, lung inflammation (pneumonitis), or eye problems. Regular checkups and monitoring help manage these risks safely.

Benefits of Tagrisso

Clinical studies have shown that Tagrisso can:

  • Extend survival for patients with advanced EGFR-mutated lung cancer
  • Delay disease progression compared to older therapies
  • Penetrate the brain, helping control cancer that has spread to the central nervous system

For many patients, Tagrisso offers improved quality of life and longer-lasting control of the disease.

Final Thoughts

Tagrisso (osimertinib) is a powerful example of how targeted therapies are transforming cancer care. By focusing on specific genetic mutations, it helps patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer live longer, healthier lives with fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy.

If you’ve been diagnosed with NSCLC, ask your oncologist whether genetic testing and treatments like Tagrisso could be part of your care plan.