Aim: This study aimed to analyze whether or not the efficacy and safety of erlotinib are influenced by differences among treatment lines and initiation timing in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.
Patients and methods: Stage III or IV NSCLC cases were retrospectively evaluated at three university hospitals. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS).
Results: Median PFSs of the second-, third- and fourth-line and over therapies were 138, 250 and 95 days; and median overall survivals (OSs) were 174, 260 and 270 days, respectively, with no significant differences. The response rates (RR) for the second-, third- and fourth-line and over therapies were 14%, 24% and 13%, respectively, with no significant differences. The toxicity profiles did not differ among the groups. The median PFSs and OSs according to initiation timing were not significantly different.
Conclusion: Differences in treatment lines and initiation timing affected neither efficacy nor safety in patients with advanced NSCLC.