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Gefitinib treatment affects androgen levels in non-small-cell lung cancer patients

M Nishio1, F Ohyanagi, A Horiike

  • 1Division of Internal Medicine, Cancer Institute Hospital, Japanese Foundation For Cancer Research, Ariake 3-10-6, Koto-ku, Tokyo 135-8550, Japan. mnishio@jfcr.or.jp

British Journal of Cancer
|May 5, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Gefitinib treatment significantly lowers androgen levels, particularly in women non-smokers with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This decrease in hormones may contribute to the drug's effectiveness.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Endocrinology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gefitinib, an EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows clinical activity in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), notably in female non-smokers with adenocarcinoma.
  • The influence of androgen levels on gefitinib efficacy in advanced NSCLC patients requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between androgen levels and gefitinib treatment outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC.
  • To determine if gefitinib monotherapy affects serum androgen concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • Serum samples from 67 advanced NSCLC patients (36 men, 31 women) were analyzed for testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) levels.
  • Hormone levels were measured before and during gefitinib monotherapy (days 14-18).

Main Results:

  • Gefitinib treatment significantly reduced serum testosterone and DHEA levels in both men and women.
  • DHEAS levels were significantly decreased in women during gefitinib treatment.
  • Androgen suppression was more pronounced in female non-smokers.
  • Responders exhibited significantly lower hormone levels during treatment compared to non-responders.

Conclusions:

  • Gefitinib monotherapy suppresses serum androgen levels in advanced NSCLC patients.
  • The gefitinib-induced decrease in serum androgens may contribute to its clinical efficacy, especially in specific patient subgroups.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise role of androgens in NSCLC treatment response.

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