BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy extends life for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Second-line treatment of NSCLC includes the use of cytotoxic drugs; however, toxicity is of concern. One molecular target for lung cancer is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Gefitinib (Iressa) is an EGFR inhibitor. The aim of our study was to evaluate time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS) and toxicities in a population affected by NSCLC using Iressa as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were enrolled with stable disease or partial response. Six cycles of a platinum-based first-line chemotherapy were administered. Iressa was administered at the dose of 250 mg/d. RESULTS: Median TTP was 5 months; median overall survival was 8 months. TTP for adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma patients was 10 months and 3.2 months, respectively. No toxic effects were seen in 80% of the patients; 17% of the patients had grade 1 follicolitis. OS for adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinoma patients were 15 and 5.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib could be an ideal second-line therapy for adenocarcinoma patients responding to first-line chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy extends life for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Second-line treatment of NSCLC includes the use of cytotoxic drugs; however, toxicity is of concern. One molecular target for lung cancer is the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Gefitinib (Iressa) is an EGFR inhibitor. The aim of our study was to evaluate time to progression (TTP), overall survival (OS) and toxicities in a population affected by NSCLC using Iressa as maintenance therapy after first-line chemotherapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were enrolled with stable disease or partial response. Six cycles of a platinum-based first-line chemotherapy were administered. Iressa was administered at the dose of 250 mg/d. RESULTS: Median TTP was 5 months; median overall survival was 8 months. TTP for adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinomapatients was 10 months and 3.2 months, respectively. No toxic effects were seen in 80% of the patients; 17% of the patients had grade 1 follicolitis. OS for adenocarcinoma and non-adenocarcinomapatients were 15 and 5.9 months, respectively. CONCLUSION:Gefitinib could be an ideal second-line therapy for adenocarcinomapatients responding to first-line chemotherapy.