Erlotinib in non-small-cell lung cancer

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays an essential role in normal cell growth and differentiation, and is involved in tumour proliferation and survival. EGFR overexpression is a common feature in solid malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is associated with poor clinical prognosis. Erlotinib is a small-molecule inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase, showing a significant improvement in median survival, quality of life and related symptoms in an unselected population of advanced NSCLC patients in the second- or third-line setting. Erlotinib is well tolerated (with common toxicities including rash and diarrhoea) when administered at a standard oral daily dose of 150 mg. Further investigations are ongoing to contribute to our understanding of the role of erlotinib in NSCLC treatment.