Role of Erlotinib 100 mg/d in the Treatment of 
Advanced Adenocarcinoma Lung Cancer Failed to Previous Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background and objective Erlotinib is a epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). The standard dose is 150 mg/d. But some patients have to reduce the dose or stop treatment due to its side effects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erlotinib 100 mg on patients with advanced adenocarcinoma lung cancer previously failed to chemotherapy. Methods Forty adenocacinoma patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis were enrolled to be given erlotinib 100 mg/d until disease progression or occurrence of intolerable toxicity. Relationships between therapeutic effects of erlotinib, progression-free survival, side effects and the clinical characters were analyzed. Results Among 40 patients, 11 got partial response, 14 had a stable disease and 15 had a progressive disease. The total response rate was 27.5%, and the disease control rate was 62.5%. The median progression-free survival was 5.5 months. Fifteen patients were positive for EGFR mutation according to the result of peripheral blood test. The response rate and disease control rate in 15 EGFR-mutation-positive patients were 33.3% and 73.3%, respectively, and the PFS was 8.4 months for 15 patients. The patients with ECOG 0-1 had a significant better PFS than those with ECOG 2 (6.1 vs 3.1 months) (P=0.043). The most frequent toxicities of erlotinib were rash and diarrhea which were easily controlled. Conclusion Erlotinib 100 mg is effective and safe in treatment of patients with advanced adenocarcinoma, especially for non-smoking patients, patients with good performance status and EGFR-mutation-positive patients.

Keywords

• Lung neoplasms
• Erlotinib
• Target therapy
• EGFR-TKI