Assessment of erlotinib in chemoresponse assay.
BACKGROUND
There is a need to identify the subset of patients sensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibition prior to using such treatments.


METHODS
Three non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines (H292, H358, and Calu3) and 34 primary human lung tumor specimens were tested for chemoresponse to erlotinib.


RESULTS
The assay distinguished responsiveness to erlotinib among NSCLC cell lines and human lung tumor explants. The H292 cells were responsive, the Calu3 cells were intermediate responsive and the H358 cells were non-responsive. These results were consistent with published tumor growth inhibition by erlotinib in xenografts derived from these cell lines. Out of the 34 patient specimens, 3 (8.8%) were responsive to erlotinib, 7 (20.6%) were intermediate responsive and 24 (70.6%) were non-responsive.


CONCLUSIONS
The in vitro chemoresponse assay profile was similar to that noted for human tumors in clinical trials. Chemoresponse testing may help predict patient response to erlotinib and assist chemotherapy decision-making.
Rice
Shara D
SD
Precision Therapeutics, Inc., Pittsburgh, PA 15203, U.S.A.
Bush
Jason E
JE
Brower
Stacey L
SL
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors