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Scientists

Erlotinib and Gefitinib Show Promising Activity in NSCLC Treatment

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Recent data suggest that erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa), tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), show remarkable activity in a portion of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A large randomized controlled trial demonstrated a survival benefit compared to placebo, leading to the US Food and Drug Administration approval of erlotinib for previously treated patients. However, its use in the first-line setting has been largely experimental. A phase III randomized controlled trial recently demonstrated the superiority of first-line gefitinib therapy compared to combination chemotherapy in a selected population of Asian patients with adenocarcinoma and a light smoking history. This result was even more dramatic in the subset of patients whose tumors carried a mutation in the EGFR gene.

Key Takeaways:

  • Erlotinib and gefitinib, tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting the EGFR, have shown remarkable activity in a portion of patients with NSCLC.
  • A large randomized controlled trial demonstrated a survival benefit of erlotinib compared to placebo, leading to US FDA approval for previously treated patients.
  • A phase III trial demonstrated the superiority of first-line gefitinib therapy compared to combination chemotherapy in a selected population of Asian patients with adenocarcinoma and a light smoking history.
  • The result was even more dramatic in patients with EGFR-mutant tumors.
  • Current randomized phase III trials of erlotinib as initial treatment of patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer are ongoing.
  • The study's authors recommend a review of the data regarding the use of erlotinib or gefitinib as initial therapy in the treatment of NSCLC.
  • The study was published in Oncology (Use of erlotinib or gefitinib as initial therapy in advanced NSCLC, Oncology, 2010;24(5):392-9).
  • The study's lead author, G.R. Oxnard, is affiliated with the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Medicine.

Statistics:

  • A large randomized controlled trial demonstrated a survival benefit of erlotinib compared to placebo.
  • A phase III trial demonstrated the superiority of first-line gefitinib therapy compared to combination chemotherapy in 100% of Asian patients with adenocarcinoma and a light smoking history with EGFR-mutant tumors.
  • Current randomized phase III trials of erlotinib as initial treatment of patients with EGFR mutant lung cancer are ongoing.

Sources:

  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Oncology (Use of erlotinib or gefitinib as initial therapy in advanced NSCLC, Oncology, 2010;24(5):392-9)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Department of Medicine
  • P R R Inc. (publisher of Oncology)
  • NewsRx.com
  • Cancer Weekly

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