Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

摘要: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women. Despite introduction newer cytotoxic agents NSCLC treatment during last decade survival rates patients have reached a plateau. New strategies are clearly needed to improve outcomes. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has key role development progression been recognised as target increasing importance NSCLC. Gefitinib, erlotinib cetuximab EGFR-targeting that being extensively evaluated EGFR inhibitors demonstrate significant clinical activity ~ 10 – 20% pretreated patients. Somatic mutations kinase domain shown be associated with enhanced sensitivity inhibitors. However, four large Phase III randomised, placebo-controlled trials gefitinib combination standard platinum-based first-line chemotherapy failed show any b...