Frequent activating mutations in signaling pathways such as Kirsten rat sarcoma (KRAS) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are found in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), the most prevalent histological subtype of lung cancer3, and specific inhibitors of these oncogenic pathways have been developed for cancer treatment3–5. Here, EGFR is linked to lung adenocarcinoma.