Gefitinib efficacy associated with multiple expression of HER family in non-small cell lung cancer.
The aim of this study was to compare the relationship between HER family expression and clinical response to gefitinib.


METHODS
Tissues from thirty-one non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with a monotherapy of gefitinib were analyzed. Expressions of HER family in 31 tumors were examined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The total expressions were 21 for EGFR (68%), 24 for HER2 (77%), 17 for HER3 (55%) and 4 for HER4 (13%). Fourteen out of 31 (45%) demonstrated triple expression of EGFR and HER2, as well as HER3 or HER4. A significantly better response rate (RR) and time to progression (TTP) were observed for the group with the triple expression than for the other groups (RR 50 vs. 11%; p < 0.05, median TTP 4.29 vs. 1.2 months; p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Mutliple expression of the HER family might be related with the clinical response to gefitinib and EGFR mutation status.
Nishio
Makoto
M
Thoracic Oncology Center, Cancer Institute Hospital, Ariake 3-10-6, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan. mnishio@jfcr.or.jp
Taguchi
Fumiko
F
Ohyanagi
Fumiyoshi
F
Horikike
Atushi
A
Ishikawa
Yuichi
Y
Satoh
Yukitoshi
Y
Okumura
Sakae
S
Nakagawa
Ken
K
Nishio
Kazuto
K
Horai
Takeshi
T
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D017931:DNA Primers; D018450:Disease Progression; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017931:DNA Primers; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D000077156:Gefitinib