[The salvage regimen for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who failed prior chemotherapy: once-daily single oral agent Iressa].
BACKGROUND
To summarize the effect of Iressa for refractory patients with advanced non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) failed to prior chemotherapy.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients, with unresectable stage IIIB or IV NSCLC who had disease progression or relapse after prior chemotherapy using platinum-based regimen for at least 2 cycles, were admitted to the Osaka Prefectural Hobikino Hospital. Iressa 250 mg was administered once a day until disease progression was noted. Weekly chest x-ray and monthly CT scan were performed for response assessment each month.


RESULTS
Among the 31 patients, one complete response (CR) and 7 partial responses (PR) were observed. CR rate was 3.2% (95% confidence interval: 0-17%), PR rate 22.6% (95% confidence interval: 10%-41%), disease control rate including both tumor responses and stable disease was 80.6% (95% confidence interval: 52%-92%). The rate of symptoms relieves was 51.6% (95% confidence interval: 33%-70%), the most effective symptoms being cough and pain. The median time to improved symptoms was 14 days. The most common adverse events were grade I or II skin rash and diarrhea which were readily manageable and reversible. No patients were withdrawn due to the adverse events


CONCLUSIONS
Monotherapy using Iressa is effective and tolerable for the patients with advanced NSCLC who failed prior chemotherapy.
Shanghai Pneumology Hospital, Shanghai 200433, P.R.China.
Di
D
Zheng
Tadahiro
T
Yamadori
Tomonori
T
Hirashima
Kiyoaki
K
Uryu
Kaoru
K
Matui
Takashi
T
Nitta
Masashi
M
Kobayashi
Shinji
S
Sasada
Noriyuki
N
Takimoto
Mitsugu
M
Furukawa
Yuichirou
Y
Ooba
Caicun
C
Zhou