Erlotinib, docetaxel, and gefitinib in sequential cohorts with relapsed non-small cell lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Both docetaxel and erlotinib improve overall survival over best supportive care in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed the effectiveness of erlotinib (E) and gefitinib (G) in patients with relapsed NSCLC in both second- and third-line settings, and compared this with that of docetaxel (D), in our clinical practice.


METHODS
Sequential cohorts of patients with relapsed advanced stage NSCLC who had been treated with erlotinib (150 mg), gefitinib (250 mg), or docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) were retrospectively identified from our database. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were response rate and progression-free survival.


RESULTS
After adjusting for covariates, there was no significant difference in overall survival between the three drugs in both second-line (median E=24; G=25; D=43 weeks, p=0.17), and third-line (median E=31; G=24; D=29 weeks, p=0.61) settings. Response rates were also not statistically significant between the three drugs across both lines of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Erlotinib, gefitinib, and docetaxel have similar effectiveness in this non-trial setting.
Popat
Sanjay
S
Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, United Kingdom.
Barbachano
Yolanda
Y
Ashley
Sue
S
Norton
Alison
A
O'Brien
Mary
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000077143:Docetaxel; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D043823:Taxoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D011838:Radiation-Sensitizing Agents; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib