Dual Targeting of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Using Combination of Nimotuzumab and Erlotinib in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Leptomeningeal Metastases: A Report of Three Cases

Hongyu Xu; Lin Zhou; You Lu; Xiaomei Su; Peng Cheng; Dong Li; Hui Gao; Hua Li; Weiwei Yuan; Ling Zhang; Tao Zhang

doi:10.2147/OTT.S230399

Dual Targeting of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Using Combination of Nimotuzumab and Erlotinib in Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer with Leptomeningeal Metastases: A Report of Three Cases

Onco Targets Ther. 2020 Jan 21:13:647-656. doi: 10.2147/OTT.S230399. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Hongyu Xu¹, Lin Zhou², You Lu², Xiaomei Su¹, Peng Cheng¹, Dong Li¹, Hui Gao¹, Hua Li¹, Weiwei Yuan¹, Ling Zhang¹, Tao Zhang¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, The General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.
² Department of Thoracic Oncology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China.

Abstract

Leptomeningeal metastases (LM) occur in 3-5% of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and are associated with a dismal prognosis. We report three cases of NSCLC with LM who were treated with the combination of nimotuzumab and erlotinib. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evaluation during follow-up showed significant improvement in cancer symptoms and decreased tumor size in all three patients. Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were rarely seen. Based on apparent efficacy of the regimen and fewer side effects, we suggest that nimotuzumab in combination with erlotinib may be a promising option for the treatment of NSCLC with LM.

Keywords: erlotinib; leptomeningeal metastases; nimotuzumab; non-small cell lung cancer.

Publication types

Case Reports

Grants and funding

This work was supported by Youth Innovation Fund of General Hospital of Western Theater of command [No: 14732C119].