An international, multicenter, randomized phase III study of first-line erlotinib followed by second-line cisplatin/gemcitabine versus first-line cisplatin/gemcitabine followed by second-line erlotinib in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: treatment rationale and protocol dynamics of the TORCH trial

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Expression and Resistance Patterns to Targeted Therapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Review

Globally, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death. The majority of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours express epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which allows for precise and targeted therapy in these patients. The dysregulation of EGFR in solid epithelial cancers has two distinct mechanisms: either a kinase-activating mutation in EGFR (EGFR-mutant) and/or an overexpression of wild-type EGFR (wt-EGFR). The underlying mechanism of EGFR dysregulation influences the efficacy of anti-EGFR therapy as well as the nature of resistance patterns and secondary mutations. This review will critically analyse the mechanisms of EGFR expression in NSCLC, its relevance to currently approved targeted treatment options, and the complex nature of secondary mutations and intrinsic and acquired resistance patterns in NSCLC.

First-line treatment of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive (M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is an important subtype of lung cancer comprising 10% to 15% of non-squamous tumours. This subtype is more common in women than men, is less associated with smoking, but occurs at a younger age than sporadic tumours.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effectiveness of single-agent or combination EGFR therapies used in the first-line treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR M+ NSCLC compared with other cytotoxic chemotherapy (CTX) agents used alone or in combination, or best supportive care (BSC). The primary outcomes were overall survival and progression-free survival. Secondary outcomes included response rate, symptom palliation, toxicity, and health-related quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted electronic searches of the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2020, Issue 7), MEDLINE (1946 to 27th July 2020), Embase (1980 to 27th July 2020), and ISI Web of Science (1899 to 27th July 2020). We also searched the conference abstracts of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the European Society for Medical Oncology (July 2020); Evidence Review Group submissions to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; and the reference lists of retrieved articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Parallel-group randomised controlled trials comparing EGFR-targeted agents (alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents or BSC) with cytotoxic chemotherapy (single or doublet) or BSC in chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic (stage IIIB or IV) EGFR M+ NSCLC unsuitable for treatment with curative intent.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified articles, extracted data, and carried out the 'Risk of bias' assessment. We conducted meta-analyses using a fixed-effect model unless there was substantial heterogeneity, in which case we also performed a random-effects analysis as a sensitivity analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-two trials met the inclusion criteria. Ten of these exclusively recruited people with EGFR M+ NSCLC; the remainder recruited a mixed population and reported results for people with EGFR M+ NSCLC as subgroup analyses. The number of participants with EGFR M+ tumours totalled 3023, of whom approximately 2563 were of Asian origin. Overall survival (OS) data showed inconsistent results between the included trials that compared EGFR-targeted treatments against cytotoxic chemotherapy or placebo. Erlotinib was used in eight trials, gefitinib in nine trials, afatinib in two trials, cetuximab in two trials, and icotinib in one trial. The findings of FASTACT 2 suggested a clinical benefit for OS for participants treated with erlotinib plus cytotoxic chemotherapy when compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy alone, as did the Han 2017 trial for gefitinib plus cytotoxic chemotherapy, but both results were based on a small number of participants (n = 97 and 122, respectively). For progression-free survival (PFS), a pooled analysis of four trials showed evidence of clinical benefit for erlotinib compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy (hazard ratio (HR) 0.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25 to 0.39 ; 583 participants ; high-certainty evidence). A pooled analysis of two trials of gefitinib versus paclitaxel plus carboplatin showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS for gefitinib (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.48 ; 491 participants high-certainty evidence), and a pooled analysis of two trials of gefitinib versus pemetrexed plus carboplatin with pemetrexed maintenance also showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS for gefitinib (HR 0.59; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.74, 371 participants ; moderate-certainty evidence). Afatinib showed evidence of clinical benefit for PFS when compared with chemotherapy in a pooled analysis of two trials (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.53, 709 participants high-certainty evidence). All but one small trial showed a corresponding improvement in response rate with tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) compared to chemotherapy. Commonly reported grade 3/4 adverse events associated with afatinib, erlotinib, gefitinib and icotinib monotherapy were rash and diarrhoea. Myelosuppression was consistently worse in the chemotherapy arms; fatigue and anorexia were also associated with some chemotherapies. Seven trials reported on health-related quality of life and symptom improvement using different methodologies. For each of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib, two trials showed improvement in one or more indices for the TKI compared to chemotherapy. The quality of evidence was high for the comparisons of erlotinib and gefitinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy and for the comparison of afatinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib and icotinib are all active agents in EGFR M+ NSCLC patients, and demonstrate an increased tumour response rate and prolonged PFS compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. We found a beneficial effect of the TKI compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy in adverse effect and health-related quality of life. We found limited evidence for increased OS for the TKI when compared with standard chemotherapy, but the majority of the included trials allowed participants to switch treatments on disease progression, which will have a confounding effect on any OS analysis. Single agent-TKI remains the standard of care and the benefit of combining a TKI and chemotherapy remains uncertain as the evidence is based on small patient numbers. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is less effective in EGFR M+ NSCLC than erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib or icotinib and is associated with greater toxicity. There are no data supporting the use of monoclonal antibody therapy. Icotinib is not available outside China.

Angiogenesis and epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract Several preclinical studies suggested a potential benefit from combined treatment with inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and angiogenesis, both effective in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In pretreated patients with advanced EGFR wild type NSCLC, bevacizumab plus erlotinib improved progression-free survival as second-line therapy in the BeTa study and as maintenance therapy in the ATLAS trial, although the benefit was modest and did not translate into an advantage in overall survival. Disappointing results were reported with oral VEGF inhibitors plus erlotinib in pretreated patients with EGFR wild type NSCLC. On the contrary, erlotinib plus bevacizumab or ramucirumab showed a clinically relevant improvement of progression-free survival in naïve patients with EGFR mutations, leading to the approval of these two regimens as first-line treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutant tumors. Several clinical studies are evaluating the feasibility and activity of osimertinib plus bevacizumab or ramucirumab. However, limits that could affect its use in clinical practice are the need of an intravenous infusion for angiogenesis inhibitors, the increased incidence of treatment associated adverse events, the exclusion of patients with tumors located in central position or at risk of hemorrhage. The identification of predictive biomarkers is an important goal of research to optimize the combined use of these agents. Keywords Lung cancer, angiogenesis, tyrosine kinase inhibitor, erlotinib, bevacizumab

The association between clinical prognostic factors and epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) efficacy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a retrospective assessment of 94 cases with EGFR mutations

Objective

This study aimed to examine the association of clinical prognostic factors with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) efficacy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods

The demographic and clinical characteristics of 94 patients with stage IV NSCLC were retrospectively reviewed, and the association between clinical factors and EGFR-TKIs efficacy was evaluated.

Results

Of the 94 stage IV NSCLC patients enrolled in this study, a 74.5% objective response rate (ORR) and 97.9% disease control rate (DCR) were observed for EGFR-TKIs treatment, and a higher ORR was seen in patients with 0 and 1 ECOG scores than those with 2 or greater scores (P = 0.049). The subjects had a median PFS of 11 months and a median OS of 31 months after EGFR-TKIs treatment. ECOG score and timing of targeted therapy were factors affecting PFS, and ECOG score, smoking status and brain metastasis were factors affecting OS. In addition, ECOG score was an independent prognostic factor for PFS in stage IV NSCLC patients, and the patients with EGFR 19del mutation had a longer PFS than those with exon 21 L855R mutation (P = 0.003), while ECOG score and brain metastasis were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Conclusions

The results of this study demonstrate that EGFR-TKI therapy results in survival benefits for EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC patients, regardless of gender, smoking history, pathologic type, type of EGFR mutations, brain metastasis and timing of targeted therapy. ECOG score is an independent prognostic factor for PFS, and ECOG score and brain metastasis are independent prognostic factors for OS in advanced NSCLC patients.

First-line treatment of advanced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation positive (M+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is emerging as an important subtype of lung cancer comprising 10% to 15% of non-squamous tumours. This subtype is more common in women than men and is less associated with smoking.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the clinical effectiveness of single -agent or combination EGFR therapies used in the first-line treatment of people with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR M+ NSCLC compared with other cytotoxic chemotherapy (CTX) agents used alone or in combination, or best supportive care (BSC). The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes included progression-free survival, response rate, toxicity, and quality of life.

SEARCH METHODS

We conducted electronic searches of the the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2015, Issue 6), MEDLINE (1946 to 1 June 2015), EMBASE (1980 to 1 June 2015), and ISI Web of Science (1899 to 1 June 2015). We also searched the conference abstracts of the American Society for Clinical Oncology and the European Society for Medical Oncology (1 June 2015); Evidence Review Group submissions to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; and the reference lists of retrieved articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Parallel randomised controlled trials comparing EGFR-targeted agents (alone or in combination with cytotoxic agents or BSC) with cytotoxic chemotherapy (single or doublet) or BSC in chemotherapy-naive patients with locally advanced or metastatic (stage IIIB or IV) EGFR M+ NSCLC unsuitable for treatment with curative intent.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently identified articles, extracted data, and carried out the 'Risk of bias' assessment. We conducted meta-analyses using a fixed-effect model unless there was substantial heterogeneity, in which case we also performed a random-effects analysis as a sensitivity analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Nineteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Seven of these exclusively recruited people with EGFR M+ NSCLC; the remainder recruited a mixed population and reported results for people with EGFR M+ NSCLC as subgroup analyses. The number of participants with EGFR M+ tumours totalled 2317, of whom 1700 were of Asian origin.Overall survival (OS) data showed inconsistent results between the included trials that compared EGFR-targeted treatments against cytotoxic chemotherapy or placebo.Erlotinib was the intervention treatment used in eight trials, gefitinib in seven trials, afatinib in two trials, and cetuximab in two trials. The findings of one trial (FASTACT 2) did report a statistically significant OS gain for participants treated with erlotinib plus cytotoxic chemotherapy when compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy alone, but this result was based on a small number of participants (n = 97). For progression-free survival (PFS), a pooled analysis of 3 trials (n = 378) demonstrated a statistically significant benefit for erlotinib compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy (hazard ratio (HR) 0.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24 to 0.38).In a pooled analysis with 491 participants administered gefitinib, 2 trials (IPASS and NEJSG) demonstrated a statistically significant PFS benefit of gefitinib compared with cytotoxic chemotherapy (HR 0.39; 95% CI 0.32 to 0.48).Afatinib (n = 709) showed a statistically significant PFS benefit when compared with chemotherapy in a pooled analysis of 2 trials (HR 0.42; 95% CI 0.34 to 0.53).Commonly reported grade 3/4 adverse events for afatinib, erlotinib, and gefitinib monotherapy were rash and diarrhoea. Myelosuppression was consistently worse in the chemotherapy arms, fatigue and anorexia were also associated with some chemotherapies.No statistically significant PFS or OS benefit for cetuximab plus cytotoxic chemotherapy (n = 81) compared to chemotherapy alone was reported in either of the two trials.Six trials reported on quality of life and symptom improvement using different methodologies. For each of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib, 2 trials showed improvement in one or more indices for the tyrosine-kinase inhibitor (TKI) compared to chemotherapy.The quality of evidence was high for the comparisons of erlotinib and gefitinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy and for the comparison of afatinib with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib are all active agents in EGFR M+ NSCLC patients, and demonstrate an increased tumour response rate and prolonged progression-free survival compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. We also found a beneficial effect of the TKI compared to cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, we found no increase in overall survival for the TKI when compared with standard chemotherapy. Cytotoxic chemotherapy is less effective in EGFR M+ NSCLC than erlotinib, gefitinib, or afatinib and is associated with greater toxicity. There were no data supporting the use of monoclonal antibody therapy.

High efficacy of gefitinib in the treatment of EGFR mutation-positive advanced non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma: A case report

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, are known to play a significant role in EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer. When an EGFR mutation is found, gefitinib and erlotinib have been shown to have significant roles in the treatment of untreated advanced NSCLC. This study reports an EGFR mutation in NSCLC treated with gefitinib and is notable due to the patient’s marked improvement following a shorter than average duration of treatment with gefitinib. The present study reports the case of a 58-year-old male smoker with a dry cough. Computed tomography revealed a mass in the left inferior lobe of the lung. The patient was subsequently diagnosed with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, and an EGFR mutation (in-frame deletions of E746-A750 in exon 19) was found. The patient received multiple rounds of chemotherapy, followed by gefitinib maintenance therapy for 3 months. Later on, a grade 1 acne-like rash developed on the face and back that lasted throughout the treatment. Currently, the patient is stable, with no evidence of disease progression. The present study describes the disease and the treatment using gefitinib.

The presence of EGFR mutations predicts the response in Chinese non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with erlotinib

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. The upregulation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) due to mutations has been observed in a number of cancers, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), such as gefitinib and erlotinib, which specifically target EGFR signaling, have been used to treat NSCLC patients. The presence of EGFR mutations was previously shown to confer sensitivity to TKIs. In this study, we evaluated the correlation between EGFR mutations and response to erlotinib in Chinese NSCLC patients. We recruited 36 patients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who had failed first-line chemotherapy, and treated them with erlotinib. We used immunohistochemistry to determine EGFR expression, and we screened for mutations using PCR analysis. We used Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier curves for survival analysis. We found that 8 patients had exon 19 mutations, while 3 patients had exon 21 mutations. An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) grade of 2 was a significant negative predictor of overall survival (OS). Patients with EGFR mutations showed a significantly better OS compared to those without EGFR mutations. Additionally, multivariate analysis showed that erlotinib-treated stage IV patients had a significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) compared to stage IIIB patients. Patients with EGFR mutations also had a significantly better PFS compared to those without EGFR mutations. The overall remission rate (22.2%) and disease control rate (75%) were significantly higher compared to the rates after second-line chemotherapy (<10%). In conclusion, the presence of EGFR mutations could be a marker to predict the therapeutic efficacy of erlotinib and the prognosis in Chinese NSCLC patients.

Clinical effectiveness of first-line chemoradiation for adult patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has issued guidelines on the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and recommends that patients with stage IIIA-IIIB disease who are not amenable to surgery be treated with potentially curative chemoradiation (CTX-RT). This review was conducted as part of a larger systematic review of all first-line chemotherapy (CTX) and CTX-RT treatments for patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC. However, it was considered that patients with potentially curable disease (e.g. stage IIIA) are different from those with advanced disease, who are suitable for palliative treatment only, and therefore the results should be reported separately.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of first-line CTX in addition to radiotherapy (RT) (CTX-RT vs CTX-RT) for adult patients with locally advanced NSCLC who are suitable for potentially curative treatment.

DATA SOURCES

Three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library) were searched from January 1990 to September 2010.

REVIEW METHODS

Inclusion criteria comprised adult patients with locally advanced NSCLC, trials that compared any first-line CTX-RT therapy (induction, sequential, concurrent and consolidation) and outcomes of overall survival (OS) and/or progression-free survival (PFS). The results of clinical data extraction and quality assessment were summarised in tables and with narrative description. Direct meta-analyses using OS data were undertaken where possible: sequential CTX-RT compared with concurrent CTX-RT; sequential CTX-RT compared with concurrent/consolidation CTX-RT; and sequential CTX-RT compared with concurrent CTX-RT with or without consolidation. There were not sufficient data to perform meta-analysis on PFS.

RESULTS

Of the 240 potentially relevant studies that were published post 2000, 19 met the inclusion criteria and compared CTX-RT with CTX-RT. The results from the OS meta-analysis comparing sequential CTX-RT with concurrent CTX-RT appear to show an OS advantage for concurrent CTX-RT arms over sequential arms; this result is not statistically significant [hazard ratio (HR) 0.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 to 1.25)]. The results from the OS meta-analysis comparing sequential CTX-RT with concurrent/consolidation CTX-RT appear to show a statistically significant OS advantage for concurrent/consolidation CTX-RT treatment over sequential treatment (HR 0.68; 95% CI 0.55 to 0.83). The results from the OS meta-analysis comparing sequential CTX-RT with concurrent CTX-RT with or without consolidation appear to show a statistically significant OS advantage for concurrent CTX-RT with or without consolidation over sequential treatment (HR 0.72; 95% CI 0.61 to 0.84).

LIMITATIONS

This report provides a summary and critical appraisal of a comprehensive evidence base of CTX-RT trials; however, it is possible that additional trials have been reported since our last literature search. It is disappointing that the quality of the research in this area does not meet the accepted quality standards regarding trial design and reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified that the research conducted in the area of CTX-RT was generally of poor quality and suffered from a lack of reporting of all important clinical findings, including OS. The 19 trials included in the systematic review were too disparate to form any conclusions as to the effectiveness of individual CTX agents or types of RT. The focus of primary research should be good methodological quality; appropriate allocation of concealment and randomisation, and comprehensive reporting of key outcomes, will enable meaningful synthesis and conclusions to be drawn.

FUNDING

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

Influence of chemotherapy on EGFR mutation status among patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE

EGFR mutation is a predictor of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment response in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, it remains unclear whether chemotherapy affects EGFR mutation status in NSCLC. We investigated the influence of chemotherapy on EGFR mutations in plasma and tumor tissues from patients with NSCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Samples were derived from three cohorts: one, 264 patients with advanced NSCLC who received first-line chemotherapy with matched pre- and postchemotherapy blood samples; two, 63 patients with stages IIb to IIIb disease with pre- and post-neoadjuvant chemotherapy tumor tissues; and three, 79 patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent palliative surgery. EGFR mutation status was determined and analyzed to reveal potential impact of chemotherapy.

RESULTS

In the first cohort, EGFR mutations were detected in 34.5% of the prechemotherapy plasma samples (91 of 264) but in only 23.1% of the postchemotherapy plasma samples (61 of 264). The decrease in EGFR mutation rate was statistically significant (P < .001). Patients whose EGFR mutations switched from positive to negative after chemotherapy had a better partial response (PR) than patients with a reverse change (P = .037). A similar decrease in EGFR mutation rate was observed in tissues after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the second cohort (34.9% [22 of 63] v 19.0% [12 of 63]; P = .013). In the third cohort, 38.0% of the tumors (30 of 79) showed an intratumor heterogeneity of EGFR mutation, whereas 62.0% (49 of 79) were homogeneous, either with EGFR mutation or no mutation.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that chemotherapy may reduce EGFR mutation frequency in patients with NSCLC, likely the result of a preferential response of subclones with EGFR mutations in tumors with heterogeneous tumor cell populations.

Erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

Erlotinib is a potent reversible HER1/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor with single-agent activity in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this article, we updated the evidence of erlotinib in treating advanced NSCLC by adding new results of RCTs published between January 2011 and May 2012 into a pooled analysis which had been published in 2011. Outcomes analyzed were objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events. Twenty trials including 9,005 patients were identified, and six of them were recently published. As first-line therapy compared to placebo or chemotherapy, there was a similar ORR (P=0.29 and 0.42), PFS (P=0.09 and 0.25) and OS (P=0.73 and 0.49). However, for the patients with EGFR mutations, erlotinib based regimens could significantly improve ORR (P<0.01), prolong PFS (P<0.0), but did not prolong OS (P=0.22). As maintenance therapy compared with placebo, erlotinib based regimens significantly increased ORR (P<0.01), prolonged PFS (P<0.01), but did not improve OS (P=0.22). As second/third-line therapy comparing with placebo, erlotinib based regimens also significantly increased ORR (P<0.01), prolonged PFS (P<0.01), and improved OS (P<0.01). As second/third-line therapy compared with chemotherapy, gefitinib, or vandetanib, the outcomes were similar between two arms. However, compared with PF299804, there was a decreased ORR (P=0.02), and shorten PFS (P=0.02). Meanwhile, The patients treated with erlotinib based regimens suffered from more diarrhea, rash, and less fatigue, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia than other agent based regimens. Our meta analysis showed that erlotinib based regimens could significantly increase ORR, improve PFS as first-line maintenance therapy or second/third-line therapy comparing with placebo or PF299804.

Molecular imaging in therapeutic efficacy assessment of targeted therapy for nonsmall cell lung cancer

Membrane distillation is a thermally driven membrane process for seawater desalination and purification at moderate temperatures and pressures. A hydrophobic micro-porous membrane is used in this process, which separates hot and cold water, allowing water vapor to pass through; while restricting the movement of liquid water, due to its hydrophobic nature. This paper provides an experimental investigation of heat and mass transfer in tubular membrane module for water desalination. Different operating parameters have been examined to determine the mass transport mechanism of water vapor. Based on the experimental results, the effects of operating parameters on permeate flux and the heat transfer analysis have been presented and discussed in details.

Folliculitis induced by EGFR inhibitors, preventive and curative efficacy of tetracyclines in the management and incidence rates according to the type of EGFR inhibitor administered: a systematic literature review

INTRODUCTION

Folliculitis is the most common side effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (EGFRIs). It is often apparent, altering patients' quality of life and possibly impacting compliance. Variations in terms of the treatment-related incidence and intensity have not been fully elucidated. Tetracyclines have been recommended for the prophylaxis and treatment of folliculitis but their efficacy is yet to be established.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We carried out two systematic literature reviews. The first assessed the preventive and curative efficacy of tetracyclines. The second assessed the incidence of grade 3-4 folliculitis in the main clinical studies published.

RESULTS

In four randomized studies, preventive tetracycline treatment was associated with a significantly lower incidence of grade 2-3 folliculitis and a better quality of life in three of the four studies. In curative terms, tetracycline efficacy was not evaluated in any randomized study, but an improvement in grade ≥2 folliculitis was reported in case series. The frequency and severity of folliculitis seem to be greater with the antibodies than with the tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Analysis restricted to lung cancer studies showed a statistically greater incidence in terms of grade 3-4 folliculitis with cetuximab (9%) and erlotinib (8%) than with gefitinib (2%) (p < .0001).

CONCLUSION

Unless contraindicated, a tetracycline should be routinely prescribed prophylactically for patients treated with an EGFRI (level of evidence, B2). In curative therapy, the level of evidence for tetracycline efficacy is low (level of evidence, D). The incidence of grade 3-4 folliculitis induced by EGFRIs appears to be lower with gefitinib.

[Phase II trial of improved regimen with gemcitabine in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

背景与目的

吉西他滨与铂类的联合化疗是晚期非小细胞肺癌（non-small cell lung cancer, NSCLC）最常用的治疗方案。通常3周方案中的吉西他滨需间隔1周给药。为提高依从性，本研究将吉西他滨第8天给药时间调整为第5天，并评价调整方案一线治疗晚期NSCLC的疗效及安全性。

方法

2007年10月-2009年10月共入组83例晚期NSCLC患者，采用吉西他滨1, 000 mg/m²-1, 250 mg/m²第1天、第5天静脉滴注30 min，联合顺铂75 mg/m²，或联合卡铂（AUC=5）第1天静滴，每21天为1周期，每例至少完成2周期治疗后评价疗效，观察毒性反应及无进展生存期和总生存期。

结果

83例患者的客观有效率为37.3%，中位无进展生存期和中位生存期分别为6.1个月和15.0个月，1年、2年生存率分别为57.8%与16.2%。调整方案的主要不良反应为血液学毒性与胃肠道反应，Ⅲ度-Ⅳ度白细胞、血红蛋白、血小板减少发生率分别为26.5%、10.8%、7.2%，联合顺铂治疗组Ⅲ度-Ⅳ度胃肠道反应发生率为27.5%。无治疗相关死亡。

结论

吉西他滨联合铂类5天调整方案一线治疗晚期NSCLC疗效肯定，毒副反应可耐受，值得进一步开展随机对照研究。

Second-line epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors followed by third-line pemetrexed or the reverse sequence: a retrospective analysis of 83 Chinese patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

The optimal treatment sequence of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR TKIs) and pemetrexed in previously treated advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients is currently unknown.

METHODS

This retrospective study explored two sequential regimens incorporating EGFR TKIs and pemetrexed in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients who had failed standard first-line chemotherapy. The medical records of 83 patients were carefully reviewed. 45 patients who received second-line EGFR TKIs followed by third-line pemetrexed were grouped as cohort A. 38 patients who received a strategy with the reverse sequence were grouped as cohort B. Progression-free survival, disease control duration and survival time were compared between the two cohorts.

RESULTS

Median survival time is significantly longer in cohort A compared with cohort B (23.615 months vs. 16.269 months, HR: 0.549, 95% CI: 0.308-0.979, P = 0.042). Median disease control duration is 17.463 months in cohort A versus 11.587 months in cohort B (HR: 0.700, 95% CI: 0.409-1.196, P = 0.191). Median progression-free survival with second-line EGFR TKIs is significantly longer than second-line pemetrexed (8.056 months vs. 4.200 months, HR: 0.462, 95% CI: 0.281-0.758, P = 0.001). Median progression-free survival with third-line EGFR TKIs is 6.885 months versus 7.624 months with third-line pemetrexed (HR: 0.462, 95% CI: 0.605-1.767, P = 0.902). The rate of response to EGFR TKIs is higher in second-line setting than in third-line (44% vs. 34%).

CONCLUSIONS

We hypothesized that for EGFR-mutated patients, second-line EGFR TKIs followed by third-line pemetrexed is preferable to the reverse sequence.

Efficacy and safety of erlotinib in the treatment of metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has played a central role in advancing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) research, treatment, and patient outcome over the last few years. Erlotinib is a human epidermal growth factor receptor Type 1/EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Erlotinib monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC after the failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimen. We present the results of phase I, II, III, and IV trials. Erlotinib monotherapy has shown a significant improvement in median survival, quality of life, and related symptoms in an unselected population of patients in second- and third-line therapy as a single agent. Most commonly reported erlotinib-related adverse effects were rash and diarrhea. In general, patients with adenocarcinoma histology, female gender, Asian ethnicity, and nonsmokers have a better response when treated with erlotinib. Ongoing trials seek to improve therapy with this agent in monotherapy or in combination regimens and better understanding of predictors of benefit with therapy.

Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors for elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in both men and women and approximately 219,440 new cases of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were estimated to occur in the USA in 2009, which caused 159,390 NSCLC-related deaths. More than 50% of cases of advanced NSCLC are diagnosed in patients older than age 65, and recent Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEERs) data suggest that the median age at diagnosis is 70 years. Until recently, the disease has been undertreated in this patient population, with a perception among many clinicians that elderly patients do not tolerate chemotherapy or radiotherapy. So, single agent chemotherapy is the recommended approach by the ASCO and International Expert Panels in unselected patients. The introduction of novel targeted therapies, such as Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) which improved survival versus placebo in patients who had previously failed on chemotherapy, gives clinicians new, effective, and better tolerated options to consider when treating NSCLC in elderly patients. This paper describes the advances of EGFR TKIs for elderly patients with advanced NSCLC.