Gefitinib in lung cancer therapy: clinical results, predictive markers of response and future perspectives

Cancer Biol Ther. 2009 Feb;8(3):206-12. doi: 10.4161/cbt.8.3.7465. Epub 2009 Feb 20.

Abstract

Over the past few years, epidermal growth factor receptor has emerged as one of the most important targets in tumorgenesis and several drugs targeting signal transduction pathways have been developed. The first among these agents to be approved for the treatment of NSCLC was gefitinib, a potent, selective and reversible inhibitor of HER1/EGFR tyrosine kinase activity. The review summarizes its clinical development and the new therapeutic options, with particular focus on predictive markers of susceptibility to this drug.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic / trends
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Gefitinib
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Quinazolines
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Gefitinib