Erlotinib : a guide to its use in first-line treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with epidermal growth factor-activating mutations

Mol Diagn Ther. 2013 Feb;17(1):57-62. doi: 10.1007/s40291-013-0015-x.

Abstract

In the EU, the approved use of erlotinib (Tarceva(®)), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has recently been expanded to include first-line treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with EGFR-activating mutations. In randomized, open-label, phase III clinical trials, oral erlotinib reduced the risk of progression, improved response rates, and was well tolerated relative to standard platinum-based doublet chemotherapy in Caucasian and Asian populations with advanced NSCLC with EGFR-activating mutations.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Asian People / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / genetics*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Humans
  • Mutation
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • White People / genetics

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • ErbB Receptors