title: Erlotinib (Tarceva) for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride