title: Erlotinib and gefitinib for elderly patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
abstract: Erlotinib and gefitinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) associated with the EGFR, which is involved in cell proliferation, growth, migration, invasion and survival, and has been found to be overexpressed in non-small-cell lung cancer. Erlotinib was the first target agent approved for the treatment of NSCLC in second- and third line, in patients unselected for EGFR mutations; gefitinib was the first EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of NSCLC in all lines of setting in patients harbouring EGFR mutations. In elderly patients, with a poor prognosis, and different co-morbidities, erlotinib and gefitinib could be considered as valid therapeutic options. This paper reviews the role of both drugs, in the management of elderly patients affected by advanced NSCLC based on an update analysis of randomised and non-randomised clinical trials.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Passaro
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Alesini
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pochesci
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Sapienza - University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324 - 00161, Rome, Italy. a-passaro@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cortesi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib