title: Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and their role in non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a promising target in the treatment of advanced stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Currently erlotinib and gefitinib are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, whereas cetuximab is being studied for use in NSCLC. Erlotinib has shown a survival advantage in patients with advanced NSCLC. Further studies have identified female sex, nonsmokers, Asian race, good performance status, and adenocarcinoma histology as predictors of patient response to these agents. A genetic mutation in EGFR has also been correlated with an increase in response.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. byrne005@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garst
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000502:physiology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib