[A case of lung adenocarcinoma of the lung with disappearance of brain metastasis by re-treatment with gefitinib].
BACKGROUND
Tumor response rate to gefitinib by previously treated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer was approximately 20%. However, there are few reports about effect of re-treatment with gefitinib.


METHODS
A 40-year-old man was given a diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of lung (c-T2N3M1). Response was not obtained with chemotherapy (paclitaxel + carboplatin, vinorelbine + gencitabin). He developed brain metastasis and received whole brain radiation therapy. He was then given gefitinib. Reduction of the primary tumor, brain metastasis, pulmonary metastasis and liver metastasis was seen. Recurrence of pulmonary metastasis and liver metastasis was discovered 8 months after treatment with gefitinib. Therefore, treatment by gefitinib was stopped. Response was not achieved with chemotherapy (docetaxel and amrubicin). At the request of the patient, retreatment with gefitinib was resumed. Disappearance of brain metastasis was achieved. However, primary tumor, pulmonary metastasis and liver metastasis progressed.


CONCLUSIONS
We reported a case whose brain metastases disappeared with re-treatment with gefitinib. This report is thought to be useful in terms of information about the acquired resistance of gefitinib. Further investigations are needed to determine the indication of re-treatment with gefitinib.
Kato
Tatsuo
T
Respirtory Medicine, National Hospital Nagara Medical Center.
Nakashima
Masanori
M
Yoshimura
Kotaro
K
Imao
Motohiro
M
Goto
Hideko
H
Yasuda
Shigeo
S
Sano
Kimiyasu
K
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000556:secondary; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D019233:Retreatment; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077156:Gefitinib