Chemotherapy and intercalated gefitinib or erlotinib in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Preclinical data showed that intercalated administration of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and chemotherapy might be effective in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This review will summarize and discuss the clinical results available to date from prospective studies investigating this approach. Areas covered: A structured search of bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed literature and of main International meetings was undertaken, for trials testing the intercalated addition of EGFR-TKIs to chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC. Expert commentary: The results of intercalated schedules of EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy are interesting but somewhat contrasting. This approach could represent a potential treatment option in patients with advanced NSCLC, that deserves to be further investigated within well-designed randomized trials.
a Division of Medical Oncology , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' Hospital , San Giovanni Rotondo ( FG ), Italy.
Antonio
A
Rossi
b Department of Oncology , University of Turin, 'San Luigi Gonzaga' Hospital , Orbassano ( TO ), Italy.
Anna
A
La Salvia
c Department of Oncology , University of Turin, 'Ordine Mauriziano' Hospital , Turin , Italy.
Massimo
M
Di Maio
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077156:Gefitinib; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D000077156:Gefitinib
Afatinib; EGFR; NSCLC; chemotherapy; erlotinib; gefitinib; icotinib; metastatic; mutations; tyrosine kinase inhibitor