[Feasibility of erlotinib after gefitinib failure in patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma previously responding to gefitinib].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and progression-free survival of erlotinib after progression of disease to gefitinib in patients with advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma who previously obtained a disease control with gefitinib.


METHODS
In this retrospective study, 12 patients with advanced or metastatic pulmonary adenocarcinoma,who were previously obtained a partial response or a stable disease with gefitinib,were treated with erlotinib after gefitinib failure. Erlotinib efficiency, progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed.


RESULTS
Nice (75%)achieved stable disease and three (25%) achieved progression disease with erlotinib treatment after gefitinib failure. No complete response or partial response was observed. The disease control rate was 75%. The median progression-free survival and overall survival of erlotinib were 180 days and 831 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Erlotinib seems to be an optional treatment after gefitinib failure for advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma patients,who previously responded to gefitinib.
Zhang
Zi-jin
ZJ
Department of Medical Oncology, Beijing Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
Zhang
Ping
P
Wu
Xiao-nan
XN
Li
Lin
L
Cheng
Gang
G
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib