S1403, Afatinib Dimaleate With or Without Cetuximab in Treating Patients With Newly Diagnosed Stage IV or Recurrent, EGFR Mutation Positive Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

This randomized phase II/III trial studies how well afatinib dimaleate with cetuximab works and compares it with afatinib dimaleate alone in treating patients with newly diagnosed stage IV or recurrent (has come back), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive non-small cell lung cancer. Afatinib dimaleate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth. Monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, may block tumor growth in different ways by targeting certain cells. It is not yet known whether afatinib dimaleate is more effective when given alone or with cetuximab in treating patients with non-small cell lung cancer.