Background: Erlotinib is a small molecular inhibitor of tyrosine kinase. One study has confirmed that it can prolong the median progression-free survival time (PFS), and can improve the one-year survival rate of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The aim of this trial is to evaluate the response and adverse reaction of agent erlotinib in advanced and previously treated non-small-cell lung cancer.
Methods: The study was one part of the EAP (Expanded Access Programme) study. Forty-five patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, which had been treated with 1-2 regimens containing platinum previously, were treated with erlotinib from Dec 2005. Erlotinib was prescribed at a dose of 150 mg daily.
Results: Forty-three patients were evaluated response and all patients were evaluated toxicity. Among these patients, CR 0 case, PR 19 cases (44.2%), RR (CR+PR) 44.2% and SD 13 cases as their best response, disease control rate (DCR=CR+PR+SD) 74.4%, PD 11cases (25.6%). The median progression-free survival time was 4.8 months; the median survival time was 15.0 months; the one-year survival rate was 68.8% (31/45). The median PFS of patients with adenocarcinoma and with non-adenocarcinoma was 7.6 months vs 2.6 months (P=0.018). The drug-related adverse reactions were skin rash (41 cases, 91.1%), billirubine increased (15 cases, 33.3%), ALT increased (9 cases, 20%) and diarrhea (4 cases, 8.9%). For patients with and without skin rash, the median PFS was 7.5 months vs 1.1 months (P=0.001), and the median survival time was 15.6 months vs 5.2 months (P=0.002).
Conclusions: Erlotinib is effective in advanced and previously treated non-small cell lung cancer, and it is much more effective in adenocarcinoma and patients with skin rash. It is well tolerated, only with some minimal adverse reactions.