First-line treatment of EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by gefitinib

• Published in: Journal of clinical oncology Vol. 27; no. 15_suppl; p. e19088
• Main Authors: Moiseyenko, V., Procenko, S. A., Levchenko, E. V., Barchuk, A. S., Matsko, D. E., Moiseyenko, F. V., Ivantsov, A. O., Iyevleva, A. G., Mitiushkina, N. V., Imyanitov, E. N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 20.05.2009
• ISSN: 0732-183X; 1527-7755
• DOI: 10.1200/jco.2009.27.15_suppl.e19088

Abstract only e19088 Background: Gefitinib shows outstandingly high rates of clinical benefit in NSCLC pts with EGFR mutation and is better tolerable than conventional chemotherapy, therefore its consideration for the upfront treatment is warranted. Methods: 21 chemonaive pts with inoperable NSCLC were selected based on the presence of EGFR mutation in the tumor DNA (16 exon 19 deletions and 5 T858G substitutions). All cases were adenocarcinomas; median age: 60 years (range: 36 - 81 years); males/females: 6/15; ECOG PS 0/1/2/3: 4/10/6/1. Gefitinib was administered at conventional dose 250 mg/d. Results: The overall disease control rate was 95% (CR: 2/21; PR: 11/21; SD: 7/21). Complete responses were observed only in tumors with exon 19 deletion, whereas the only patient with disease progression had codon 858 substitution. Grade III toxicity occurred only in 3 pts (2: skin rash; 1: diarrhea). Time to disease progression ranged from 2+ to 18 months. 3 pts achieved an operable status of the disease upon the treatment, and therefore were subjected to surgical intervention followed by adjuvant gefitinib therapy. Conclusions: Gefitinib may be considered as the treatment of choice for chemonaive EGFR mutation-containing inoperable NSCLC. No significant financial relationships to disclose.