'Targeting' the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase with gefitinib (Iressa) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa), a selective drug inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase (TK), was recently approved for the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article reviews the identification of EGFR as a therapeutic target and the steps in the development of gefitinib as "targeted" monotherapy for patients with NSCLC. Whether EGFR is required for the maintenance of lung tumor survival is also discussed. Finally, strategies to identify predictors of response to gefitinib are explored.
Pao
William
W
Department of Medicine and Thoracic Oncology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, Box 62, New York, NY 10021, USA. paow@mskcc.org
Miller
Vincent A
VA
Kris
Mark G
MG
D000818:Animals; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib