title: Erlotinib and concurrent chemoradiation in pretreated NSCLC patients: radiobiological basis and clinical results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To establish feasibility of the combination of Erlotinib and concurrent chemoradiation in pre-treated patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data regarding 60 consecutive patients with NSCLC previously treated with chemotherapy alone were prospectically collected. All patients started Erlotinib concurrently with chemotherapy and radiation delivered to primary tumor. These data were retrospectively analyzed (observational study). Feasibility and toxicity were the primary endpoints, with response rate and progression being the secondary ones, while survival data are reported just as exploratory analysis. The EGFR mutational status was recorded in 32% of cases and it was always wild type.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compliance to the combination protocol was good. Grade 3-4 esophagitis and acute lung toxicity occurred in 2% and 8% of patients, respectively. No progressive disease was recorded in the majority of cases (65%). Median OS and PFS were 23.3 and 4.7 months, respectively. Patients not responding to chemotherapy administered prior to chemoradiation achieved an objective response rate of 53.3% and complete response in 13.3% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The addition of Erlotinib to chemoradiation in inoperable NSCLCs is feasible with interesting efficacy profile. These preliminary results warrant further investigation in patients with locally advanced nonmetastatic NSCLC with EGFR mutations.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University, Via Álvaro del Portillo 21, 00128 Roma, Italy. s.ramella@unicampus.it
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramella
authors.forename: Antonio Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Alberti
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cammilluzzi
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fiore
authors.forename: Edy
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ippolito
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Angelo Luca
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: De Quarto
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ramponi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Apolone
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Trodella
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cesario
authors.forename: Rolando Maria
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: D'Angelillo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D059248:Chemoradiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride