[A randomized clinical study of Gefitinib and pemetrexed as second line therapy
for advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer]. [Article in Chinese; Abstract available in Chinese from the publisher]
Author(s): Dai H(1), Xu L, Xia C, Chen W.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanjing Chest Hospital, Nanjing 210029,
China.
Publication date & source: 2013, Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi. , 16(8):405-10
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gefitinib and Pemetrexed are drugs used as second-line
therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although studies
comparing the two drugs are limited. The aim of this study is to explore the
effects, safety, and quality of life (QoL) of Gefitinib and Pemetrexed on
patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC.
METHODS: Forty-six advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients who failed to first-line
therapy were randomly divided into two groups with 23 patients each, one using
oral Gefitinib (Gefitinib group) and the other using intravenous injection
Pemetrexed (Pemetrexed group). The effects, safety, and QoL were determined and
analyzed.
RESULTS: For the Pemetrexed group, objective response rate (ORR) was 13.0%
(3/23), disease control rate (DCR) was 30.4% (7/23), and median progression-free
survival (mPFS) was 3.1 months. In the Gefitinib group, ORR was 17.3% (4/23), DCR
was 39.1% (9/23), and mPFS was 4.4 months. Compared with the Pemetrexed group,
the ORR, DCR, and mPFS in the Gefitinib group exhibited no statistical
significance (P>0.05). Furthermore, the most common toxicities in the Pemetrexed
group were neutropenia (n=9, 39.13%) and fatigue (n=8, 34.78%), whereas those in
the in Gefitinib group were skin rash (n=8, 34.78%) and diarrhea (n=4, 17.39%).
Compared with baseline, the QoL improved in both groups but to different degrees.
Likewise, emotional, functional well-being, and QoL aspects specifically related
to lung cancer were better improved in the Gefitinib group than in the Pemetrexed
group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: The effects of Pemetrexed and Gefitinib as second line therapy were
similar, although with different AEs. Both drugs could improve the QoL, but
Gefitinib showed better overall results than Pemetrexed.
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