Gefitinib: a review of its use in the management of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Gefitinib (Iressa), the first commercially available epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) inhibitor, is indicated in the management of patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, approved uses differ between countries; in most markets, gefitinib is approved for third-line use only (e.g. the US, Canada and Switzerland), although in some it is approved for both second- and third-line use (e.g. Japan and Australia) and, additionally, in patients considered unsuitable for chemotherapy (e.g. Indonesia and the Philippines). Few third-line treatment options exist for patients with inoperable advanced NSCLC who have failed both platinum-based and docetaxel chemotherapies. Gefitinib represents a significant advance in the treatment of this population; a once-daily, oral dosage of 250 mg/day was well tolerated, produced objective tumour responses and disease stabilisation, and improved disease-related symptoms and quality of life. It also produced overall survival outcomes that compared favourably with historical outcomes in a similar group of patients treated with three or four different chemotherapy regimens. These findings have been supported by observations from a global compassionate-use programme. Ongoing or planned clinical trials are designed to confirm and/or further define the role of the drug in the above and other clinical settings.
Adis International Limited, Mairangi Bay, Auckland, New Zealand. demail@adis.co.nz
James E
JE
Frampton
Stephanie E
SE
Easthope
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001682:Biological Availability; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib