title: Gefitinib for non-small-cell lung cancer treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gefitinib is an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) that demonstrated efficacy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) across therapy lines. In the first-line setting, recent randomized Phase III trials comparing EGFR-TKIs versus platinum-based doublets demonstrated that in patients harboring an activating EGFR mutation, gefitinib is superior to chemotherapy in terms of response rate, progression-free survival, toxicity profile and quality of life, with a marginal positive effect on survival. In order to choose the best treatment, a molecular characterization is now mandatory, as part of baseline diagnostic procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  All published data on gefitinib in lung cancer were analyzed using PubMed. The aim of this review is to summarize activity and safety data from major clinical trials of gefitinib in patients with advanced NSCLC.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EGFR-TKIs including gefitinib are the best option we can offer today in patients with EGFR mutation, regardless of treatment line. Administration of gefitinib to patients with advanced NSCLC is usually well-tolerated and it also appears to be feasible in special populations characterized by a significantly poorer risk:benefit ratio with standard chemotherapy, like elderly patients and patients with poor performance status.
authors: Medical Oncology Department, Istituto Toscano Tumori-Ospedale Civile, Italy.
authors: Armida
authors: A
authors: D'Incecco
authors: Federico
authors: F
authors: Cappuzzo
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000077156:Gefitinib