First-line systemic treatment with gefitinib in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer

Oncol Rep. 2005 Dec;14(6):1539-42.

Abstract

Lung cancer has a high mortality rate and is often diagnosed in locally advanced or metastatic stages. A new therapeutic option for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in these stages with progress or relapse after platinum-based chemotherapy exists in the inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine-kinase. EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor treatment might also be an option for patients ineligible for surgery and conventional chemotherapy. We present a case of a 53-year-old woman who was diagnosed due to pain from multiple bone metastases of a lung adenocarcinoma. She refused cytotoxic chemotherapy, and we administered first-line systemic treatment with gefitinib subsequent to radiotherapy of metastatic bone disease. The patient responded well to gefitinib treatment and achieved a partial response after 3 weeks. No relevant side effects occurred, and the patient experienced an 8-month remission of disease. With a follow-up of 10 months, the patient is still alive. Retrospectively, we found a mutation of the EGF receptor in tumor cells of the patient, which is associated with sensitivity to gefitinib. EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKI) can be an alternative first-line systemic treatment option for selected patients with metastatic NSCLC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy
  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Base Sequence
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary
  • DNA Mutational Analysis
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Female
  • Gefitinib
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*
  • Sequence Deletion
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Quinazolines
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Gefitinib