Erlotinib monotherapy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: an effective approach with low toxicity.

Author(s): Ardavanis A, Koumna S, Fragos I, Malliou S, Kyriakou F, Mantzaris I, Scorilas A, Rigatos G

Affiliation(s): First Department of Medical Oncology, St. Savvas Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece. ardavanis@yahoo.com

Publication date & source: 2008-07, Anticancer Res., 28(4C):2409-15.

Publication type:

BACKGROUND: Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and particularly erlotinib (Tarceva) has been a field of intense research. This retrospective study was conducted to assess the efficacy of erlotinib and its impact on survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with stage IIIB or IV, advanced or recurrent metastatic NSCLC were included in the study and were administered erlotinib 150 mg daily, at different lines of treatment. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study: 29 (81%) male, 7 (19%) female. At the time of analysis, all patients had progressed and died. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4 months +/- 2.43 months (range 0-8 months), whereas median overall survival (OS) was 7 months +/- 2.65 months (range 3-15 months). Patients with ECOG performance status of 0 or 1 had better OS and significantly higher PFS rates. Overall response rate was 16.7%, while the disease control rate was 81%. CONCLUSION: Erlotinib is effective and well tolerated in pretreated patients with advanced NSCLC and a good performance status.