ZD1839, a novel, oral epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, as salvage treatment in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Experience from a single center participating in a compassionate use program.
OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the orally active, selective epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) ZD1839 in patients with pretreated advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) participating in a compassionate use program.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients with advanced, unresectable and progressive NSCLC, previously treated with one or two chemotherapy regimens, received ZD1839 250 mg orally once daily. Patients who had received only one prior chemotherapy regimen had to be considered unsuitable for second-line chemotherapy.


RESULTS
The disease control rate was 32% (95% CI: 15.8-48.7) (1/31 patients had a partial response and 9/31 patients had stable disease) and the median overall survival 23 weeks (range 4-40). Symptom improvement was reported by 39% of patients overall and by 83% of patients who achieved disease control. The median time to symptom improvement was 3 weeks (range 2-4). Adverse events were generally mild (grade I or II) and reversible and consisted mostly of skin rash, diarrhea and fatigue.


CONCLUSIONS
ZD1839 demonstrated clinically meaningful antitumor activity with significant improvement in symptoms in this heavily pretreated group of patients with advanced NSCLC. Furthermore, ZD1839 showed a favorable toxicity profile, with the majority of adverse events being mild and reversible.
Pallis
A G
AG
Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, P.O. Box 1352, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
Mavroudis
D
D
Androulakis
N
N
Souglakos
J
J
Kouroussis
C
C
Bozionelou
V
V
Vlachonikolis
I G
IG
Georgoulias
V
V
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016879:Salvage Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077156:Gefitinib