title: Restoration of gefitinib efficacy following chemotherapy in a patient with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gefitinib has shown evidence of antitumor activity in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A female Asian nonsmoker with adenocarcinoma was given gefitinib as first-line treatment with significant efficacy. However, after approximately 1.5 years, progression occurred. She then received chemotherapy (pemetrexed/carboplatin) until progression, followed by treatment with gefitinib to which the patient responded a second time. After progression, treatment with chemotherapy (docetaxel/cisplatin) was instituted and again followed by gefitinib. A recent positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan showed complete remission under gefitinib.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case report indicates that resistance to gefitinib in NSCLC can be reversed after chemotherapy. Thus, re-exposure to gefitinib may be justified in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Yi-Ting
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Geng
authors.forename: Chang-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yong-Qian
authors.initials: YQ
authors.lastname: Shu
authors.forename: Yong-Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077156:Gefitinib