Four placebo-controlled phase III trials have evaluated EGFR TKIs as maintenance (Takeda et al, 2010; Cappuzzo et al, 2010a; Sequential Tarceva in Unresectable NSCLC (SATURN) and West Japan Thoracic Oncology Group (WJTOG) 0203 trials), second- or third-line treatment (Shepherd et al, 2005; Thatcher et al, 2005; NCIC Clinical Trials Group BR.21 and Iressa Survival Evaluation in Lung Cancer (ISEL) trials). The gene discussed is EGFR; the disease is lung cancer.