Gefitinib ("Iressa"): a new therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor prognosis and suffer many disease-related symptoms. Treatments should therefore aim to palliate these symptoms as well as improve overall quality of life. Gefitinib ("Iressa") is a novel epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets cell signaling involved in tumor growth and differentiation. In Phase II trials in recurrent NSCLC, gefitinib provided objective responses and symptom relief, and was generally well tolerated. Now approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC in over 25 countries, including Japan and the USA, gefitinib has demonstrated significant clinical benefit in a disease area with limited treatment options.
Reck
Martin
M
Department of Thoracic Oncology, Hospital Grosshansdorf, Woehrendamm 80, Grosshansdorf 22927, Germany. pneumo.onko@t-online.de
Gatzemeier
Ulrich
U
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017322:Clinical Trials, Phase II as Topic; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib