From a functional point of view, in EGFR-dependent NSCLC models (HER2-amplified, Calu-3; EGFR-mut, HCC827 and NCI-H1650) double EGFR/HER2 blockade by lapatinib resulted in striking growth inhibitory effects in vitro, which were not substantially increased by simultaneous exposure to MAPK pathway inhibitors (either dabrafenib or trametinib, Additional file 1: Figure S7). Here, EGFR is linked to non-small cell lung carcinoma.