ASCO 2011 Report: Lung Cancer

Erlotinib Beats Chemotherapy for Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

Mutations that result in constitutive activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) protein predict the usefulness of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Analysis from the I-PASS study (JW Oncol Hematol Oct 13 2009) and other studies suggests that patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have activating EGFR mutations benefit from use of this class of drugs (typically gefitinib).

In the phase III, randomized EURTAC trial, investigators assessed whether patients with specific activating EGFR mutations have better survival with erlotinib versus platinum-doublet chemotherapy.

Of 1227 patients screened between February 2007 and January 2011, 2…