Erlotinib (Tarceva) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
Erlotinib (Tarceva) is the second oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor to become available in the US for treatment of advanced refractory NSCLC. In clinical trials, erlotinib produced a response rate of only 8.9%, but increased median survival from 4.7 to 6.7 months. Patients who had never smoked and those with EGFR-positive tumors survived longer. Erlotinib is generally well tolerated; diarrhea and rash are the most common adverse effects.
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000139:chemically induced; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005076:Exanthema / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride