Gefitinib plus celecoxib in chemotherapy-naïve patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A phase II study from the Hoosier Oncology Group

Abstract

7066 Background: Gefitinib, an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, has single agent activity in NSCLC. Preclinical studies demonstrate significant interactions between the EGFR and cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) pathways and that simultaneous inhibition against NSCLC may have benefits over gefitinib alone. Methods: Eligibility required that pts were chemotherapy-naïve, had stage IIIb (with pleural effusion) or IV NSCLC and an ECOG PS 0–1. Pts received gefitinib 250mg orally daily plus celecoxib 400mg orally every 12 hours. Cycles consisted of 21 day treatment and continued until unacceptable toxicity or progression of disease. The primary objective of this single arm, two-stage, phase II study was to evaluate the overall response rate. If ≤ 10 out of 30 pts achieved a complete (CR) or partial response (PR), the study would be stopped early. If >10 out of 30 pts had a CR or PR, enrollment would continue to 50 pts. Results: From 1/04 to 11/04, 31 pts were enrolled: male/female 13/18; median age 70.8 years (range, 19–93); 67.7% had adenocarcinoma; ECOG PS 0/1 13/18; stage IIIb/IV 2/29; 5 were current smokers, 9 were remote (>30 years) or never smokers, 16 quit smoking > 3 months ago. Median number of cycles was 4 (range, 0–16). 6 pts (19.4%) discontinued therapy due to toxicity, including 3 who died due to treatment. Select grade 3/4 toxicities included: pulmonary (6.5%), hepatic (6.5%), diarrhea (6.5%), skin (3.2%). Responses included PR 5 (16.1%), stable disease 8 (25.8%), and progressive disease 18 (58.1%). Median duration of response, progression free survival, and overall survival was 5.7, 2.8, and 7.2 months, respectively. All responders were females with adenocarcinoma, 2 were remote or never smokers and 3 were former smokers. Conclusion: Gefitinib plus celecoxib in an unselected population of chemotherapy naïve patients with advanced NSCLC and a PS of 0–1 has a lower response rate and overall efficacy compared with historical controls of chemotherapy. [Table: see text]