Erlotinib in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an essential role in normal cell growth and differentiation, and is involved in tumour proliferation and survival. EGFR overexpression is a common feature in solid malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Erlotinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, showing a significant improvement in median survival, quality of life and related symptoms in an unselected population of advanced NSCLC patients in the second- or third-line setting. Erlotinib is well tolerated (with common toxicities including rash and diarrhoea) when administered at a standard oral daily dose of 150 mg. Further investigations are ongoing to contribute to our understanding of the role of erlotinib in NSCLC treatment.
Gridelli
Cesare
C
S.G. Moscati Hospital, Division of Medical Oncology, Città Ospedaliera, Contrada Amoretta, 83100 Avellino, Italy. cgridelli@libero.it
Rossi
Antonio
A
Maione
Paolo
P
Colantuoni
Giuseppe
G
Del Gaizo
Filomena
F
Ferrara
Carmine
C
Nicolella
Dario
D
Guerriero
Ciro
C
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride