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Published on: April 6, 2016
[Efficacy of gefitinib on advanced non-small cell lung cancer of bilateral diffuse or unilateral giant mass type]
Zhe-Sheng Wen1, Xiao-Qin Chen, Hai-Ying Wu
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P. R. China. zheshengwen@yahoo.com.cn
Background & Objective:
No more survival improvement could be obtained in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) today with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Clinical trails showed the antitumor effect of gefitinib on NSCLC with individual differences. This study was to select NSCLC patients of suitable type by comparing the efficacy of gefitinib on advanced NSCLC of bilateral diffuse type and unilateral giant mass type.
Methods:
Fifty advanced NSCLC patients of bilateral diffuse type (20 cases) and unilateral mass type (30 cases) received treatment of gefitinib. The efficacy of gefitinib on advanced NSCLC between the 2 groups was compared.
Results:
The median time to symptom improvement was significantly shorter in bilateral diffuse group than in unilateral mass group (4 days vs. 7 days, P<0.01). The disease control rate was significantly higher in bilateral diffuse group than in unilateral mass group (75% vs. 20%, P<0.01). The median progression-free time was significantly longer in bilateral diffuse group than in unilateral mass group (9.5 months vs. 3.6 months, P<0.01). Drug-related adverse events were similar in the 2 groups.
Conclusions:
Gefitinib is more effective to bilateral diffuse type NSCLC than to unilateral giant mass type NSCLC. It can be considered as the second-line medicine for bilateral diffuse type NSCLC.
Insights
Gefitinib offers better outcomes for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with the bilateral diffuse type compared to the unilateral giant mass type. This suggests gefitinib as a potential second-line treatment for the bilateral diffuse NSCLC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Medical Research
Background:
- Advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) shows limited survival improvement with traditional chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
- Gefitinib exhibits variable antitumor effects in NSCLC patients, necessitating patient selection.
- Identifying optimal patient subgroups for gefitinib therapy is crucial for improving treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of gefitinib in advanced NSCLC patients with bilateral diffuse type versus unilateral giant mass type.
- To determine if gefitinib's effectiveness varies based on NSCLC subtype.
- To inform clinical decisions regarding gefitinib as a targeted therapy for specific NSCLC presentations.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 advanced NSCLC patients was divided into two groups: bilateral diffuse type (20 cases) and unilateral giant mass type (30 cases).
- Both groups received gefitinib treatment.
- Comparative analysis of treatment efficacy between the two NSCLC subtypes was performed.
Main Results:
- The bilateral diffuse group experienced significantly faster symptom improvement (median 4 days vs. 7 days) and a higher disease control rate (75% vs. 20%) compared to the unilateral mass group.
- Median progression-free survival was substantially longer in the bilateral diffuse group (9.5 months vs. 3.6 months).
- Adverse events related to gefitinib were comparable between the two patient groups.
Conclusions:
- Gefitinib demonstrates superior efficacy in treating advanced non-small cell lung cancer of the bilateral diffuse type compared to the unilateral giant mass type.
- Gefitinib can be considered a valuable second-line treatment option for patients with bilateral diffuse NSCLC.
- The study highlights the importance of NSCLC subtype in predicting gefitinib response.
