[Gefitinib treatment for carcinomatous meningitis in non-small cell lung cancer].
BACKGROUND
Carcinomatous meningitis is a major complication in Non Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Despite treatment with radiotherapy alone or in combination with intrathecal and systemic chemotherapy, its prognosis remains poor.


METHODS
We report a case of a female non-smoker with adenocarcinoma with bronchoalveolar features presenting with carcinomatous meningitis three years after the diagnosis of her primary tumour. Gefitinib treatment was proposed because of the persistence of meningitic symptoms despite cranial irradiation. Clinical response was observed within 3 weeks and lasted for 9 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Gefitinib may be effective in treating carcinomatous meningitis complicating NSCLC and should be considered in this situation given the absence of effective alternatives.
Chouahnia
K
K
Service d'Oncologie Médicale, Hôpital Avicenne, Bobigny, France. kader.chouahnia@avc.ap-hop-paris.fr
Brechot
J-M
JM
Des-Guetz
G
G
Saintigny
P
P
Morere
J-F
JF
Breau
J-L
JL
D002282:Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008581:Meningitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010166:Palliative Care; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014747:Vinblastine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D000077235:Vinorelbine
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D014747:Vinblastine; D016190:Carboplatin; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin; D000077235:Vinorelbine; D000077156:Gefitinib