Therapeutic efficacy of Gefitinib in advanced NSCLC patients

Abstract

Introduction: Lung cancer uprises from the respiratory epithelium cells is divided into two broad categories; Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), derived from cells exhibiting Neuro-endocrine characteristics which is highly malignant tumour. The current drug therapy of Gefitinib has little evidence for its efficacy and safety profile in Indian patients. Aim: The research was focused to assess the efficacy of Gefitinib in advanced Non-small cell lung cancer. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study, done during the study period January 2009 to June 2012, and the number of NSCLC patients was 25 cases. Results: Of the 25 cases, 13 (52%) were males and 12 (48%) were females. The factors affecting survival have been studied there was a significant difference in survival between male and female sex (males 7.2 months; females 10.9 months). NSCLC patients were also having pleural effusion in 15 (60%) patients; fluid was hemorrhagic in 13 cases and straw coloured in 2 cases. The mean ADA level was 18.3 IU (5-43) and the Cell count was predominantly lymphocytic. The pleural fluid cytology was positive for malignant cells in 9 cases (60%) and the pericardial effusion was present in 4 patients. Calculating the objective response rate, there was no patients with complete response, 3 (16, 7%) with partial response, 9 (50%) cases with Stable disease and 6 (33.2%) had progressive disease and the overall rate of survival was 10.9 months (range 8.2-13.6). The most common adverse effect observed was diarrhea reported in 5 cases (20%), followed by rash in 4 (16.7%) and mucositis in 4 (16.7%) of cases. Conclusion: From the current study, it’s likely that, its use may not rapidly move NSCLC from advanced late-stage disease to earlier and less-advanced stages, but it is observed as a well tolerated drug that shows significant survival advantage with minimal toxicity. Keywords: Gefitinib, Non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), EGFR.