Unusual tumor response and toxicity from radiation and concurrent erlotinib for non-small-cell lung cancer.
We report a case of a never-smoker female with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who experienced a striking tumor response to combined low-dose radiation and the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib, even though erlotinib alone was not effective in preventing tumor progression. Furthermore, the patient developed symptomatic pneumonitis, which is unusual for the small volume of lung that was exposed to a significant dose of radiation. This case demonstrates that combination therapy with radiation and erlotinib has the potential to significantly benefit a subset of patients with NSCLC in addition to those approximately 10% who have tumors which respond to erlotinib alone. It also highlights the potential risks of molecular targeted radiation therapy.
Nanda
Akash
A
Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Dias-Santagata
Dora C
DC
Stubbs
Hannah
H
O'Hara
Carl J
CJ
Zaner
Ken S
KS
Lynch
Thomas J
TJ
Willers
Henning
H
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000528:radiation effects; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017564:Radiation Pneumonitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride