title: Does erlotinib restore chemosensitivity to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer? A case series.
abstract: Erlotinib (Tarceva) in combination with gemcitabine is indicated for first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced, unresectable or metastatic pancreatic cancer. In preclinical models, exposure of pancreatic cancer cell lines to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor plus gemcitabine suggested enhanced cytotoxicity of gemcitabine and induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Erlotinib inhibited gemcitabine-induced phosphorylation of EGFR, which may promote cytotoxicity from gemcitabine. The effectiveness of the combination of irinotecan and cetuximab in patients with irinotecan-refractory colon cancer tumors suggests that cetuximab may circumvent irinotecan resistance. This report describes the author's experience with the use of erlotinib in patients with pancreatic cancer and discusses the possible role of erlotinib in restoring chemosensitivity in pancreatic cancer.
authors.affiliation: Pancreas Center, Department of Hematology/Oncology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Milstein Hospital 177 Fort Washington Avenue, Suite 6-435 New York, NY 10032, USA. mws2138@columbia.edu
authors.forename: M Wasif
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Saif
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride