Comparison of Erlotinib vs. Osimertinib for Advanced or Metastatic EGFR Mutation-Positive Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Without Prior Treatment: A Network Meta-Analysis

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases globally and most patients receive their diagnosis at advanced or metastatic disease stages. The use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) such as erlotinib (first-generation) and osimertinib (third-generation) to treat NSCLC is possible because of activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Although osimertinib has shown better results in recent trials, direct and updated comparisons with erlotinib, especially in combination regimens, are still limited. Background/Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of osimertinib versus erlotinib, both as monotherapies and in combination, in treatment-naïve patients with advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Methods: A systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA-NMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42025649761). PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched up to February 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared erlotinib- or osimertinib-based regimens in previously untreated EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC. Outcomes included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and grade ≥ 3 adverse events. A frequentist random-effects model was used, and treatments were ranked using p-scores. Results: Eleven RCTs (2341 patients) were included. Osimertinib, alone or with chemotherapy, resulted in significantly longer OS compared to erlotinib-based regimens (HR for OS vs. erlotinib: 1.59, 95% CI 1.09–2.31). All osimertinib and erlotinib regimens outperformed chemotherapy for PFS, but no statistically significant differences were observed between osimertinib and erlotinib. Severe adverse events were comparable, though osimertinib ranked highest for safety. The combination of osimertinib with chemotherapy achieved the highest p-scores for both OS and PFS. Conclusions: Osimertinib is associated with superior overall survival and comparable safety versus erlotinib-based strategies in first-line treatment of advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC. These findings reinforce osimertinib as the preferred first-line option in this setting.