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Erlotinib in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Ewan R Brown1, Frances A Shepherd

  • 1Sir Alastair Currie Cancer Research UK Laboratories, Molecular Medicine Centre, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK. ewanrsbrown@hotmail.com

Expert Review of Anticancer Therapy
|October 14, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, shows promise for non-small cell lung cancer treatment. Clinical trials, including BR21, demonstrate a survival benefit, positioning erlotinib for future patient management.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibition is a key strategy for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
  • Numerous EGFR-targeting agents, including antibodies and small molecule inhibitors, are in clinical development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To profile the development of erlotinib, an orally available EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
  • To review clinical trial data for erlotinib in NSCLC treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical trial results for erlotinib.
  • Focus on combination trials with paclitaxel/carboplatin and gemcitabine/cisplatin.
  • Analysis of the National Cancer Institute of Canada--Clinical Trials Group BR21 study.

Main Results:

  • Erlotinib is an orally available EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
  • The BR21 trial demonstrated a survival benefit for erlotinib in NSCLC.
  • Combination therapy trials provide further data on erlotinib efficacy.

Conclusions:

  • Erlotinib represents a significant advancement in NSCLC therapy.
  • EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors offer a promising therapeutic avenue.
  • Erlotinib's role in managing NSCLC patients warrants further discussion and investigation.

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