Icotinib: activity and clinical application in Chinese patients with lung cancer
Yong-Song Guan1, Qing He, Mei Li
1West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Department of Oncology , Chengdu 610041 , China yongsongguan@yahoo.com.
Introduction:
Icotinib (BPI-2009H, Conmana) is a novel oral quinazoline compound that has proven survival benefit in Chinese patients with lung cancer, for which several therapies are currently available often with unsatisfactory results. Icotinib is the first self-developed small molecular drug in China for targeted therapy of lung cancer.
Areas Covered:
The authors' experience in the clinical application of icotinib is reviewed in combination with related publications in the literature. Antitumor activities were observed in non-small-cell lung cancer and others in several recent studies. On 7 June 2011, icotinib was approved by the State Food and Drug Administration of China for the treatment of local advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer based on the results of a nationwide, of 27 centers, randomized, double-blind, double-modulated, parallel-controlled, Phase III trial with single agent icotinib in lung cancer patients after failure of chemotherapy.
Expert Opinion:
Icotinib is a generic drug. Compared to the other two commercially available EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib and erlotinib, icotinib is similar to them in chemical structure, mechanism of activity and therapeutic effects but less expensive. Better safety as well as a wider therapeutic window has also been proven in several Chinese studies. Future studies on cost effectiveness are warranted.
Insights
Icotinib, a novel oral quinazoline, offers survival benefits for Chinese lung cancer patients. This targeted therapy is a cost-effective alternative to existing EGFR inhibitors with comparable efficacy and improved safety.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Drug Development
Background:
- Icotinib is a novel oral quinazoline compound developed in China for targeted lung cancer therapy.
- It has demonstrated survival benefits in Chinese patients, addressing limitations of current treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical application and efficacy of icotinib.
- To compare icotinib with existing EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Review of authors' clinical experience and relevant literature.
- Analysis of a Phase III randomized, double-blind trial in lung cancer patients post-chemotherapy failure.
Main Results:
- Antitumor activities observed in non-small-cell lung cancer.
- Icotinib showed comparable therapeutic effects to gefitinib and erlotinib.
- Demonstrated better safety and a wider therapeutic window in Chinese studies.
Conclusions:
- Icotinib is a generic EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor with similar efficacy to gefitinib and erlotinib.
- It presents a less expensive, safer alternative with a wider therapeutic window for Chinese lung cancer patients.
- Further cost-effectiveness studies are recommended.
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