Long-term response to second-line afatinib treatment for advanced squamous cell carcinoma non-small cell lung cancer:
Mengyao Sun1, Ye Guo1, Xu Wang1
1The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China.
Abstract:
The ErbB family is composed of four cell membrane receptors: ErbB-1 (epidermal growth factor receptor or human epidermal growth factor receptor [HER]1), ErbB-2 (HER2), ErbB-3 (HER3), and ErbB-4 (HER4). All members of the ErbB family play a critical role in regulating cell growth, proliferation and migration of tumours. Afatinib is an irreversible ErbB family inhibitor that is approved for second-line treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) that has progressed following platinum-based chemotherapy. Here we describe the case of a 56-year-old male Chinese patient with SqCC who had previously failed chemotherapy and radiotherapy and was subsequently enrolled in the LUX-Lung 8 study. The patient responded well to treatment with afatinib (40 mg/day). His disease stabilised after 8 weeks and a complete response was achieved after 12 weeks of treatment. Follow-up of this patient is ongoing; he is still alive and has not experienced disease progression in the 7 years since initiation of afatinib. The long-term response and prolonged survival in this patient provide additional evidence for second-line treatment with afatinib in patients with SqCC.
Insights
Afatinib treatment led to a remarkable 7-year survival without disease progression in a patient with advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC). This case highlights afatinib
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- The ErbB receptor family (HER1-4) is crucial for tumor cell growth, proliferation, and migration.
- Afatinib is an irreversible ErbB family inhibitor approved for second-line treatment of advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) post-chemotherapy.
- Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) is a significant cause of cancer-related mortality.
Observation:
- A 56-year-old male Chinese patient with advanced SqCC, who had failed prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy, was enrolled in the LUX-Lung 8 study.
- The patient received afatinib (40 mg/day) as second-line treatment.
- Disease stabilization was observed at 8 weeks, with a complete response achieved by 12 weeks.
Findings:
- The patient experienced a complete response to afatinib treatment.
- He has remained alive and disease-free for 7 years since initiating afatinib therapy.
- This represents a long-term response and prolonged survival in a difficult-to-treat SqCC case.
Implications:
- This case provides compelling evidence for the efficacy of afatinib as a second-line treatment option for advanced SqCC.
- Long-term afatinib treatment may lead to durable responses and improved survival outcomes in select SqCC patients.
- Further investigation into long-term outcomes with afatinib in SqCC is warranted.
