Retrospective analysis of clinical efficacy of erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of erlotinib as second-, third-, and fourth-line treatment for Turkish patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Material and Method: Thirty-nine patients with advanced, previously treated NSCLC who received 150 mg of erlotinib once daily orally until disease progression or intolerable toxicity were retrospectively analyzed. Results: We observed no complete response, partial responses were observed in 7 (17.9%) patients, and 16 (41 Ph) patients had stable disease. The median progression -free survival was 242 days (95% CI 51-224), and the median overall survival (OS) was 377 days (950/0 Cl 291462). The median 05 of females was significantly better than male patients (470 vs. 271 days, p=0.046). The treatment was generally well tolerated. The most common side effect was skin rash (4105). Discussion: Erlotinib was safe and effective in treating Turkish patients with advanced NSCLC who had been previously treated with the standard chemotherapy.