Long noncoding RNA EGFR-AS1 mediates epidermal growth factor receptor addiction and modulates treatment response in squamous cell carcinoma

A silent single-nucleotide variant (SNV) affecting the transcription of a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA EGFR-AS1) within the EGFR coding regionalters the EGFR isoform ratio and modulates oncogene addiction and response to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitorsin squamous-cell cancers. Proof-of- conceptvalidation in patients supports the notion that this SNV and levels of the lncRNA could be used to predict response to therapy in a clinical setting. These results, together with findings by Bal et al., uncover the functional role of noncoding RNAs in modulating the response to targeted therapiesin cancer.