Comparison of the clinical efficacy of icotinib and gefitinib in the treatment of stage IV lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR sensitive gene mutation

Abstract

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of icotinib and gefitinib in the treatment of advanced(stage Ⅳ) lung adenocarcinoma patients with epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) sensitive gene mutation. Methods Fifty-four advanced(stage Ⅳ) lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR sensitive gene mutation were selected.According to the random number table method, the patients were divided into two groups, with 27 cases in each group.The icotinib group received icotinib hydrochloride targeted therapy, and the gefitinib group was orally given gefitinib.The clinical efficacy, quality of life score, adverse reactions, progression free survival(PFS) were compared between the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences in clinical curative effect between the two groups[complete remission(0 cases vs.0 cases), partial remission(9 cases vs.8 cases), stable(12 cases vs.14 cases), progress disease(6 cases vs.5 cases), objective response rate(33.3% vs.29.6%), disease control rate(77.8% vs.81.5%), Z=1.060, χ2=0.143, 0.100, all P>0.05]. After treatment, the differences of body function, social function, psychological function, common symptoms and side effects, specific modules in the gefitinib group were not statistically significant compared with those before treatment(t=1.402, 1.199, 1.840, 1.860, 1.275, all P>0.05). The icitinib group had better body function, psychological function, common symptoms, side effects and specific modules than before treatment(t=2.525, 3.335, 4.477, 3.778, all P 0.05). The incidence rate of Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade adverse reactions of the icotinib group was 7.4%, which was lower than 25.9% of the gefitinib group(χ2=9.000, P 0.05). The average PFS of the icotinib group under EGFR gene 21L858R mutation was (14.62±3.85)months, which was longer than (10.73±5.61)months of the gefitinib group(t=2.971, P<0.05). Conclusion Icotinib, gefitinib in the treatment of advanced(stage Ⅳ) lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR sensitive gene mutation has similar clinical effect, but icotinib has higher safety, better tolerability, and can significantly improve the quality of life of patients, prolong the EGFR mutation of the 21L858R gene under the survival of patients. Key words: Carcinoma, non-small-cell lung; Adenocarcinoma; Genes; Mutation; Icotinib; Gefitinib