Background: Erlotinib, a selective inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, has been approved effective in local advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erlotinib for the treatment of advanced NSCLC.
Methods: Ninety-two patients with advanced NSCLC who had failed or not tolerated or refused chemotherapy received 150 mg oral doses of erlotinib once daily until the disease progression or intolerable toxicity.
Results: Among the 92 NSCLC patients, 2 patient got complete response (2.2%), 22 partial response (23.9%), 48 stable disease (52.2%) and 20 progressive disease (21.7%). The overall response rate and the disease controlled rate of erlotinib was 26.1% (24/92) and 78.3% (72/92), respectively. The response rate of erlotinib were significantly higher in rash and ECOG 0-1 than no rash and ECOG >= 2. The disease controlled rate of erlotinib was significantly higher in female and non-smokers than male and smokers (P<0.05). The response rate of erlotinib did not show significant differences within pathological type or previous treatment. The most common side effects were rash and diarrhea with 84.8% and 31.5%, respectively, but usually were mild.
Conclusions: Erlotinib is effective and safe in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients.