title: [Erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer: experience of clinical hospital for lung diseases Jordanovac].
abstract: Treatment with erlotinib, an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptors, has significantly improved the overall survival rate and quality of life in patients with non-small cell lung cancer who had failed the standard first- or second-line chemotherapy. In Clinical hospital for lung diseases "Jordanovac" a total of 36 patients were treated with erlotinib. The response rate was as follows: in four patients (11%) complete response was achieved, in five (4%) partial response, while fourteen patients (39%) had stable disease. Hence, the evident clinical benefit of treatment with erlotinib was registered in 23 patients (64%) altogether. The treatment was well tolerated and it was not associated with significant toxicity. Our results confirm the antitumour efficacy of erlotinib and show a clear treatment benefit for patients with non-small cell lung cancer in our country.
authors.affiliation: Klinika za plućne bolesti Jordanovac, Jordanovac 104, 10 000 Zagreb.
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plestina
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samarzija
authors.forename: Stjepko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Plestina
authors.forename: Nabil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chalfe
authors.forename: Ervin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zuljević
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors