Effect of EGFR-TKI combined with concurrent radiotherapy in the treatment of advanced non-squamous lung cancer

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the safety and curative effect of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) combined with concurrent radiotherapy in the treatment of stage IIIB or IV non-squamous lung cancer patients. Methods 64 patients with EGFR mutant type advanced non-squamous lung cancer were enrolled in this study.26 patients were treated with EGFR-TKI (single treatment group), 38 patients were treated with EGFR-TKI combined with concurrent radiotherapy (combined treatment group). The acute toxicity reaction, the objective response rate and the survival benefit of all the patients were evaluated. Results In recent curative effect, the combined treatment group showed higher objective response rate, and the ORR between the two groups had statistically significant difference(71.1% vs 46.2%, χ2=4.02, P=0.02). In the combined treatment group, the median progression free survival time was 11.5 months, and the median survival time was 26.7 months.In the single treatment group, the median progression free survival time was 10.1 months, and the median survival time was 23.4 months.The differences between the two groups were not statistically significant.The main adverse reactions were skin rash and gastrointestinal reaction, and the incidence of these adverse reactions was similar in the two groups.The rate of bone marrow depression in the combined treatment group was higher than that in the drug group, and was mainly grade 1-2, which caused no treatment-related deaths. Conclusion EGFR-TKI combined with concurrent radiotherapy is effective and safe for EGFR mutant type advanced non-squamous lung cancer patients. Key words: Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI); Intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT); Advanced non-squamous lung cancer/concurrent radiotherapy