title: Analysis of epidermal growth factor receptor expression as a predictive factor for response to gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839) in non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Gefitinib ('Iressa', ZD1839) is an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated antitumour activity and favourable tolerability in Phase II studies. We investigated whether EGFR expression levels could predict for response to gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), who received gefitinib (250 mg day(-1)) as part of a worldwide compassionate-use programme. Tissue samples were analysed by immunohistochemistry to assess membrane EGFR immunoreactivity. Of 147 patients enrolled in our institution, 50 patients were evaluable for assessment of both clinical response and EGFR expression. The objective tumour response rate was 10% and disease control was achieved in 50% of patients. Although high EGFR expression was more common in squamous-cell carcinomas than adenocarcinomas, all objective responses were observed in patients with adenocarcinoma. Response and disease control with gefitinib were not associated with high EGFR expression. Overall, median survival was 4 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 18%. Strong EGFR staining correlated with shorter survival time for all patients. Gefitinib demonstrated promising clinical activity in this group of patients with NSCLC. These results have also shown that EGFR expression is not a significant predictive factor for response to gefitinib.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Via A Manzoni 56, Rozzano, Milan 20089, Italy. sotolatteri@hotmail.com
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Parra
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cavina
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Latteri
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Zucali
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Campagnoli
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morenghi
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Roncalli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoro
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D011505:Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077156:Gefitinib