title: Brain metastases in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer responding to single-agent gefitinib: a case report.
abstract: Brain metastases are a frequent finding in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The present case reports the clinical course of a patient who was treated with gefitinib alone for progressive brain metastases after whole-brain irradiation treatment (WBRT). A 50-year-old women with primary stage IV NSCLC (bone metastases) developed brain metastases after 3 cycles of chemotherapy consisting of paclitaxel and carboplatin (CBDA). After completion of the WBRT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) indicated further progression. Two cycles of temozolomide and topotecan were applied; this was ineffective in preventing central nervous system progression. For symptomatic brain metastatic disease the patient received gefitinib as single-agent treatment. Within a few weeks of treatment there was an obvious clinical improvement. Follow-up of the brain 2 months after the start of treatment showed a decrease in both the size and number of brain metastases. Additional manifestations in the lungs and the skeletal system were re-assessed as stable disease during the treatment with gefitinib. Within 4 months of treatment there were no side-effects such as skin rash or any other systemic toxicity. Gefitinib may therefore have a role in the treatment of brain metastases from NSCLC.
authors: Medizinische Klinik III bInstitut für Klinische Radiologie, University Hospital of Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Germany. joachim.stemmler@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Stemmler
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Weigert
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Krych
authors: S O
authors: SO
authors: Schoenberg
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ostermann
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Hiddemann
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077156:Gefitinib