title: Gefitinib for non-small cell lung cancer patients with liver cirrhosis.
abstract: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI), such as gefitinib or erlotinib, is mainly metabolized in liver. To date, the safety data on administrating EGFR-TKI to patients with liver dysfunction is quite limited. Here, we administered gefitinib to two adenocarcinoma patients with liver cirrhosis, and one patient with EGFR gene mutation in exon 21 achieved long stable disease (SD) without any toxicity. Pharmacokinetic data of alternate days administration in these patients were similar to those of daily administration in patients with normal liver function. Although further studies are needed, a reduced dose of gefitinib might be feasible for patients with liver dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan. ekim@kuhp.kyoto-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Young Hak
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mio
authors.forename: Michiaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mishima
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D017354:Point Mutation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib