title: Basic clinical parameters predict gefitinib efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor gefitinib is in broad use. We retrospectively analysed data for 82 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with gefitinib and correlated benefits with clinical baseline and therapy-related parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of all patients 48/82 were male; the median age at start of gefitinib was 67.2 years; 14/58 informative patients were never-smokers; 57/82 patients suffered from adenocarcinoma, including 7 with bronchoalveolar-carcinomas.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As to be expected, partial remission was observed in 10% of patients, stable disease in 29%, progression-free survival was 3.1 months and overall survival 9.2 months. Gefitinib was more efficacious in women, never-smokers and patients with bronchoalveolar-carcinoma. Furthermore, anemia and elevated C-reactive protein levels were unfavourable for therapeutic efficacy. Patients developing skin reactions under gefitinib achieved response far more frequently, with longer progression-free survival and overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Basic clinical parameters are good predictors for response to EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy, which may be of value if EGFR mutation status is not available.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Innsbruck, Department of Internal Medicine V/ Haematology and Oncology, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. andreas.pircher@i-med.ac.at
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pircher
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ulsperger
authors.forename: Rene
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hack
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jamnig
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pall
authors.forename: Bettina
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zelger
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sterlacci
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hilbe
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiegl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000077156:Gefitinib