Safety And Efficacy Of Gefitinib For Treatment Of Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Objective: To observe the efficacy and drug-related toxicityof gefitinib as second-line treatment for previouslycisplatin-based treated patients with refractory and advancednon-small cell lung cancer.Methods: 76 patients with refractory and advanced non-smallcell lung cancer which were about to undergo progression afterpreviously cisplatin-based chemotherapy were eligible for thisstudy. Gefitinib was given, as single drug, at a dose of 250mgonce daily by oral intake until the disease progression ortoxicity has become intolerable.Results: 76 such patients were evaluable for response andtoxicity assessment. The overall rate of objective response anddisease control was 28.9%(22/76) and 68.3%(52/76). The medianduration of reaponse was 8.3 months. The median time todisease progression (TTP) was 5.8 months and the median overallsurvival time (OS) 12 months. The actuarial 1-year survival was47.6%. The response rate in female was significantly higherthan that in male (P＜0.001). The drug-related toxicities ofgefitinib were skin rash, diarrhea, xerosis cutis and et al andmild and reversible.Conclusion: Gefitinib is effective and safe as a second-linetreatment for previously cisplatin-based treated patients withrefractory and advanced non-small cell lung cancer.