EGFR and non-small cell lung carcinoma: On the basis of significant improvements in PFS vs standard platinum-based chemotherapy in two pivotal Phase III studies (Sequist et al, 2013; Wu et al, 2014), afatinib (40 mg, once daily (QD)) was approved in the USA, EU and Japan for the treatment of patients with NSCLC harbouring distinct types of EGFR mutations (European Medicines Agency, 2013; Food and Drug Administration, 2013; Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency Japan, 2013).