Randomized phase II study of gefitinib versus erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who failed previous chemotherapy

Purpose

Gefitinib and erlotinib are potent EGFR TKIs, with antitumor activity. In this randomized, single-center, non-comparative phase II trial, the efficacy and safety of gefitinib and erlotinib was evaluated as the second-line therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods

Patients with locally advanced, metastatic stage IIIB/IV NSCLC who failed first-line chemotherapy and had either EGFR mutation or at least two out of three clinical factors associated with higher incidence of EGFR mutations (female, adenocarcinoma histology, and never-smoker) were eligible.

Results

A total of 96 (48 per arm) patients were randomly assigned to gefitinib- or erlotinib-arm, respectively. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the two arms. The response rates (RR) were 47.9% in the gefitinib arm and 39.6% in the erlotinib arm. Median PFS was 4.9 months (95% CI, 1.3-8.5) in the gefitinib arm and 3.1 months (95% CI, 0.0-6.4) in the erlotinib arm. The most common grade 3/4 toxicity was skin rash. Exploratory analyses showed that there was no significant difference in RR and PFS in the gefitinib arm compared to the erlotinib arm (RR (%) 47.9 vs. 39.6, p = 0.269; median survival (months) 4.9 vs. 3.1, p = 0.336). There was no significant difference in QOL between the two arms.

Conclusion

Both gefitinib and erlotinib showed effective activity and tolerable toxicity profiles as second-line treatment for the selected population of NSCLC. We may consider conducting a phase III trial to directly compare the efficacy and toxicity between gefitinib and erlotinib in an enriched patient population.     

化疗间期序贯应用厄洛替尼治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的临床观察

目的　评价化疗后序贯给予厄洛替尼在晚期非小细胞肺癌（ＮＳＣＬＣ）中的客观缓解率和毒副反应。方法　初治或复治的局部晚期或晚期ＮＳＣＬＣ患者共３９例,初治患者２５例采用ＧＣ方案化疗,复治患者１４例方案为多西他赛或培美曲塞,化疗间歇期序贯给予厄洛替尼（１５０ｍｇ／天,ｄ１５～ｄ２８）,２８天为１周期。连用６周期,直至疾病进展或毒副反应不能耐受。结果　３９例患者至随访结束时共完成化疗１３５个周期,平均化疗３４６个周期。所有患者均可进行疗效评价,其中获ＰＲ９例（初治７例）,ＳＤ２３例（初治１４例）,ＰＤ７例（初治２例）。总体客观缓解率（ＲＲ）为２３１％,其中初治ＲＲ为２８.０％（７／２５）,复治ＲＲ１４.３％（２／１４）,总体疾病控制率（ＤＣＲ）为８２.１％,初治患者为９２.０％,复治患者６４.３％。主要不良反应为皮疹和血液系统毒性。结论　化疗序贯厄洛替尼治疗ＮＳＣＬＣ近期疗效较好,毒副反应可耐受,远期疗效有待进一步观察。     

EGFR mutation frequency and effectiveness of erlotinib: A prospective observational study in Danish patients with non-small cell lung cancer

Objectives

In 2008, we initiated a prospective study to explore the frequency and predictive value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in an unselected population of Danish patients with non-small cell lung cancer offered treatment with erlotinib, mainly in second-line.

Materials and methods

Four hundred and eighty eight patients with advanced NSCLC were included. The mutation status was assessed using the cobas^® EGFR Mutation Test. Erlotinib was administrated (150 mg/d) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival. Secondary endpoints were overall survival and response.

Results

Biopsies were retrieved from 467 patients, and mutation results obtained for 462. We identified 57 (12%) patients with EGFR mutations: 33 exon 19 deletions, 13 exon 21 mutations, 5 exon 18 mutations, 3 exon 20 insertions, 1 exon 20 point mutation (S768I), and two complex mutations. Seven percent of the patients were never smokers. The differences in median progression-free survival and overall survival between the mutated group and the wild-type group were 8.0 vs. 2.5 months, p < 0.001 and 12.1 vs. 3.9 months, p < 0.001. Performance status (0–1 vs. 2–3) and line of treatment (1st vs. 2nd and 3rd) had no influence on outcome in EGFR-mutated patients.

Conclusion

We found a higher frequency of EGFR mutations than expected in a cohort with less than 10% never smokers. The outcome after treatment with erlotinib was much better in patients with EGFR mutations than in patients with wild-type EGFR and was independent of performance status and treatment line in EGFR-mutated patients.     

A phase II study of erlotinib in combination with bevacizumab versus chemotherapy plus bevacizumab in the first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

Background

Molecularly targeted agents for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can provide similar efficacy to chemotherapy without chemotherapy-associated toxicities. Combining two agents with different modes of action could further increase the efficacy of these therapies. The TASK study evaluated the efficacy and safety of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib in combination with the anti-angiogenic agent bevacizumab as first-line therapy in unselected, advanced non-squamous NSCLC patients.

Methods

Patients were recruited from December 2007 to September 2008. Planned sample size was 200 patients, a total of 124 patients were randomized. Patients were randomized using a minimization algorithm 1:1 to receive bevacizumab (iv 15 mg/kg day 1 of each 21-day cycle) plus chemotherapy (gemcitabine/cisplatin or carboplatin/paclitaxel standard doses, 4–6 cycles) (BC arm) or bevacizumab plus erlotinib (p.o. 150 mg/day; BE arm) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). If the hazard ratio (HR) of PFS for BE relative to BC was above 1.25 at the pre-planned interim analysis in favor of BC, the study would be re-evaluated. Secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate and safety.

Results

All randomized patients (n = 63 BE; n = 61 BC) were evaluated for the efficacy analyses. At the updated interim analysis, median PFS was 18.4 weeks (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.0–25.1) versus 25.0 weeks (95% CI 20.6–[not reached]) for BE versus BC, respectively (HR for death or disease progression, BE relative to BC, 2.05, p = 0.0183). The incidence of death was 19% for BE treatment compared with 11.5% for BC treatment. The HR for PFS at the updated interim analysis was above 1.25, therefore patients on the BE arm were permitted to change arms or switch to another drug and the study was terminated. Adverse events reported were as expected.

Conclusions

The TASK study did not show a benefit in terms of PFS for the combination of erlotinib with bevacizumab in unselected first-line advanced non-squamous NSCLC compared with chemotherapy plus bevacizumab.     

β catenin和E cadherin表达预测早期胃癌切除术后复发的临床意义#br# #br#

目的探讨β 连环蛋白（β catenin）和上皮型钙黏蛋白（E cadherin）对早期胃癌（T1～2N0期）患者行根治术后复发的预测价值。 方法选择2012年7月至2014年6月期间在遂宁市中心医院行手术切除的早期胃癌组织样本366例,随访患者复发情况。采用免疫组化染色法检测胃癌组织β catenin和E cadherin表达,及其表达与胃癌临床病理特征的关系。多因素Logistic回归模型分析影响复发的独立危险因素。 结果随访期内共有42例患者复发,复发和未复发患者在病理类型、浸润深度、分化程度、受教育程度以及居住地之间差异存在统计学意义（P＜005）。366例患者中221例β catenin高表达,150例E cadherin高表达,且β catenin和E cadherin表达与浸润深度、分化程度以及复发情况密切相关（P＜005）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,浸润深度、β catenin和E cadherin异常表达是胃癌术后复发的独立因素（P＜005）。复发胃癌患者中β catenin和E cadherin表达无相关性（r=-0033,P=0836）。 结论β catenin和E cadherin表达异常可作为早期胃癌患者术后复发的预测指标,有助于筛选术后复发的高危患者。     

中国人非小细胞肺癌EGFR和K-ras基因突变与临床病理特征及厄洛替尼治疗效果的关系

目的 研究中国小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)患者表皮生长因与受体(EGFR)和K-ras基因突变情况,探讨其与NSCLC临床病理学特征及厄洛替尼治疗效果的关系.方法 利用PCR扩增和基因测序的方法检测301例中国NSCLC患者EGFR基因第18、19、20和21外显子及K-ras基因第1213密码子的突变情况,并分析其与NSCLC临床病理学特征及厄洛替尼治疗效果的关系.结果 301例患者中,99例(32.9%)有EGFR基因突变,其中第18外显子上发生突变3例,第19外显子上发生突变59例,第20外显子上发生突变2 例,第21外显子上发生突变35例.14例(4.7%)有K-ras基因突变,其中13例位于第12密码子.无同时存在EGFR和K-ras基因突变者.腺癌、无吸烟史和女性患者EGFR基因突变率较高,分别为45.7%、48.4%和49.6%.10例服用厄洛替尼有效的患者中7例携带有EGFR基因突变.结论 中国NSCLC患者EGFR基因突变率显著高于西方人群,而K-ras基因突变率则较西方人群低.联合检测EGFR和K-ras基因的突变情况可以筛选EGFR酪氨酸激酶抑制剂治疗的获益人群,并较好地预测厄洛替尼治疗晚期NSCLC的疗效.     

A randomised phase II study of pemetrexed versus pemetrexed + erlotinib as second-line treatment for locally advanced or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

IntroductionPemetrexed and erlotinib have been approved as second-line monotherapy for locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel phase II study assessed efficacy and safety of pemetrexed versus pemetrexed + erlotinib in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC.MethodsNSCLC stage III–IV patients who failed one prior platinum-based chemotherapy regimen, ≥1 measurable lesion by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤2 were eligible. Patients received pemetrexed 500 mg/m² with vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid q3w alone or combined with erlotinib 150 mg daily. The primary end-point was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary end-points were overall survival (OS), time-to-treatment failure (TTTF), response and toxicity.ResultsOf 165 randomised non-squamous patients, 159 were treated (pemetrexed: 83; pemetrexed + erlotinib: 76). The median PFS (months; 95% CI) was 2.89 (1.94, 3.38) for pemetrexed versus 3.19 (2.86, 4.70) for pemetrexed + erlotinib (hazard ratio [HR] 0.63; 95% CI: (0.44, 0.90); P = 0.0047). The median OS (months; 95% CI) was 7.75 (5.29, 10.41) for pemetrexed versus 11.83 (8.18, 16.66) for pemetrexed + erlotinib (HR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.98; P = 0.019). The median TTTF (months: 95% CI) was 2.4 (1.74, 2.99) for pemetrexed versus 3.0 (2.23, 4.07) for pemetrexed + erlotinib (HR 0.64; 95% CI: 0.46, 0.89; P = 0.0034). One patient died in pemetrexed + erlotinib arm due to febrile neutropenia. Grades 3/4 drug-related toxicities (in ≥5% of patients) in pemetrexed/pemetrexed + erlotinib were febrile neutropenia (2.4%/10.5%), diarrhoea (1.2%/5.3%), rash (1.2%/9.2%); anaemia (6%/11.8%), leukopenia (9.6%/23.7%), neutropenia (9.6%/25.0%), and thrombocytopenia (4.8%/14.5%).ConclusionsPemetrexed + erlotinib treatment significantly improved PFS, OS and TTTF in 2nd line non-squamous NSCLC and was associated with an increase in grade 3/4 toxicities compared with pemetrexed alone.     

广西壮族非小细胞肺癌患者EGFR基因突变的研究

目的研究广西壮族非小细胞肺癌患者表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）基因突变的情况。方法收集163例广西壮族非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）组织,采用ARMS（amplificationrefractorymutationsystem,ARMS）法PCR扩增检测EGFR基因外显子18、19、20及21的突变,进一步分析其突变与临床特征的关系,并与文献报道国内8个省、市的数据进行比较。结果163例NSCLC中共检出73例EGFR基因突变,EGFR突变阳性率为44．8％,显著高于文献报道国内8个省市的总体水平（30．0％）（P〈0．05）。其中,外显子19和21突变各占突变总数38．4％。腺癌和腺鳞癌突变发生率占突变总数的80．8％,女性EGFR基因突变率（57．7％）显著高于男性（38．7％）（P〈0．05）。结论广西壮族NSCLC患者EGFR基因突变率显著高于中国8个省、市的总体水平,其中以外显子19和21突变为多见。女性、腺癌和腺鳞癌患者是选用EGFR酪氨酸激酶抑制剂的优势人群。     

A Phase Ⅱ Trial of Gefitinib as Maintenance Therapy after First-Line Chemotherapy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in China

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of gefitinib as maintenance therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients who obtained disease control (DC) after first-line chemotherapy in Chinese population. Methods:Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC treated with standard chemotherapy and obtained DC were assigned to receive gefitinib as maintenance treatment. The primary end point was overall survival time (OS), the second end point was disease control rate (DCR) and progression-free survival time (PFS). DCR included complete response (CR) plus partial response (PR) and plus stable disease (SD). The impact of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status on the treatment as exploratory point was also evaluated by denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC). Results:Among 75 enrolled patients, the overall response rate was 37% and the DCR (CR + PR +SD) was 66%. The median PFS and OS were 17.13 months and 26.13 months respectively, with 1- and 2-year survival rates 89.3% and 34.7%. Patients harboring somatic EGFR mutations obtained a prolonged median PFS and OS compared with EGFR wide type (25.1 vs. 13.0 months, P=0.019 and 33.37 vs. 25.57 months, P=0.014, respectively). In COX regression model, only EGFR mutation status was the independently factor influencing both PFS and OS (P=0.029 and 0.017, respectively), however, rash status was the predictor in terms of PFS (P=0.027).Conclusion:Gefitinib produced encouraging survival when delivered as maintenance therapy in Chinese patients obtaining DC after first-line chemotherapy, especially for patients carrying somatic EGFR mutations. EGFR mutation is an independently predictive factor of survival.     

EGFR mutations and clinical outcomes of chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

Background

This meta-analysis was performed to assess whether epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status was associated with objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemotherapy.

Method

We systematically identified eligible articles investigating the effects of chemotherapy in patients with NSCLC stratified by EGFR mutation status. The summary risk ratio (RR) for ORR and hazard ratios (HRs) for both PFS and OS were calculated using the inverse variance formula of meta-analysis.

Results

Identification for the current meta-analysis: 5 prospective studies (n = 875) and 18 retrospective studies (n = 1934) for ORR; 2 prospective studies (n = 434) and 10 retrospective studies (n = 947) for PFS; 2 prospective studies (n = 438) and 7 retrospective studies (n = 711) for OS. The ORR was significantly higher in patients with EGFR mutations in prospective studies (RR = 1.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–1.74; P = 0.001), but not in retrospective studies (RR = 1.12; 95% CI, 0.96–1.32; P = 0.146). There was no obvious association between EGFR mutations and PFS both in prospective (HR = 0.84; 95% CI: 0.65–1.09; P = 0.197) and retrospective (HR = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.87–1.18; P = 0.838) studies. Association between EGFR mutations and OS was also not seen in prospective studies (HR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.27–2.05; P = 0.566), but was seen in retrospective studies (HR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.33–0.72; P < 0.001; I² = 75.9%; P < 0.001) with significant heterogeneity.

Conclusion

EGFR mutations in advanced NSCLC may be associated with higher ORRs to chemotherapy, but may have nothing to do with PFS and OS. Further prospective studies are required to identify the influence of EGFR mutations on chemotherapy effects in advanced NSCLC.     

Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌同期减量放化疗与序贯放化疗的临床试验

背景与目的同期放化疗是当前治疗非小细胞肺癌(non-smallcelllungcancer,NSCLC)的方向,但治疗方案多而乱,毒副反应也大于单纯放疗或单纯化疗。本研究的目的是探讨和比较同期减量放化疗与序贯放化疗治疗不能手术的Ⅲ期NSCLC的毒副反应和近期疗效。方法病理证实为ⅢA、ⅢB期(非恶性胸腔积液)不能手术的初治NSCLC患者80例随机分为2组。同期放化疗组(A):2周期长春瑞滨(减半)+顺铂(NP)方案化疗,于放疗第一天同期进行。放疗用6、10MVX线常规分割(每天1.8~2.0Gy/次,每周5次),开始0°、180°放疗40Gy/20~22次后改斜野避开脊髓放疗至总量60Gy/30~33次。同期放化疗结束后继续NP(全量)方案巩固化疗3周期,每28天为一个周期。序贯放化疗组(B):入组后先行放疗,放疗方案同A组,放疗结束后行NP(全量)方案化疗4~5周期。采用WHO近期疗效评价标准和放化疗毒副反应分级标准进行评定。结果A组近期有效率为80.0%,B组为57.5%(χ2=4.71,P<0.05)。A组Ⅲ、Ⅳ度急性放射性食管炎和白细胞减少发生率分别为47.5%、65.0%,明显高于B组的25.0%、42.5%(P<0.05);A、B组急性放射性肺炎发生率分别为32.5%和20.0%(P>0.1)。结论NP方案减量同期放化疗治疗不能手术的Ⅲ期NSCLC,近期疗效较序贯放化疗组高,副反应经积极对症治疗可以耐受。     

Three-arm randomised controlled phase 2 study comparing pemetrexed and erlotinib to either pemetrexed or erlotinib alone as second-line treatment for never-smokers with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer

BackgroundThis randomised controlled phase 2 study compared pemetrexed and erlotinib in combination with either agent alone in terms of efficacy and safety as second-line treatment in a clinically selected population of never-smokers with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).MethodsPatients who had failed only one prior chemotherapy regimen and had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status (PS) ?2 were randomised to either: pemetrexed 500 mg/m² on day 1 plus erlotinib 150 mg daily on days 2–14; erlotinib 150 mg daily; or pemetrexed 500 mg/m² on day 1 of a 21-day cycle until discontinuation criteria were met. The primary endpoint, progression-free survival (PFS), was analysed using a multivariate Cox model. Firstly, a global comparison across the three arms was performed. If the global null hypothesis was rejected at a two-sided 0.2 significance level, pairwise comparisons of pemetrexed–erlotinib versus erlotinib or pemetrexed were then conducted using the same model. Statistical significance was claimed only if both global and pairwise null hypotheses were rejected at a two-sided 0.05 significance level.FindingsA total of 240 patients (male, 35%; East Asian, 55%; ECOG PS 0–1, 93%) were included. A statistically significant difference in PFS was found across the three arms (global p = 0.003), with pemetrexed–erlotinib significantly better than either single agent: HR = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40–0.81, p = 0.002 versus erlotinib; HR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.39–0.85, p = 0.005 versus pemetrexed. Median PFS (95% CI) was 7.4 (4.4, 12.9) months in pemetrexed–erlotinib, 3.8 (2.7, 6.3) months in erlotinib and 4.4 (3.0, 6.0) months in pemetrexed. Safety analyses showed a higher incidence of drug-related grade 3/4 toxicity in pemetrexed–erlotinib (60.0%) than in pemetrexed (28.9%) or erlotinib (12.0%); the majority being neutropenia, anaemia, rash and diarrhoea.InterpretationPemetrexed–erlotinib significantly improved PFS compared to either drug alone in this clinically selected population. The combination had more toxicity, but was clinically manageable.     

Risk of interstitial lung disease with gefitinib and erlotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Objectives

Gefitinib and erlotinib are oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) widely used in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Interstitial lung disease (ILD) events have been described with these agents, although the overall risk remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and the relative risk (RR) associated with the use of gefitinib and erlotinib.

Materials and methods

PubMed databases were searched for articles published from January 2000 to October 2012, and abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the European Society of Medical Oncology meetings held between 2000 and 2012 were searched for relevant studies. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials with gefitinib and erlotinib in advanced NSCLC patients. Summary incidence rates, relative risks, and 95% CIs were calculated using fixed-effects or random-effects models, depending on the heterogeneity of the included studies.

Results

15,618 patients from 29 randomized controlled trials were selected for this meta-analysis. The overall incidence for all-grade ILD events was 1.2% (95% CI, 0.9–1.6%) among patients receiving gefitinib and erlotinib, with a mortality of 22.8% (95% CI, 14.6–31.0%). Compared with controls, the RR of all-grade ILD events associated with gefitinib and erlotinib was 1.53 (95% CI, 1.13–2.08; P = 0.006) using a fixed-effects model. The RR of fatal ILD events associated with EGFR TKIs treatment was 1.96 (95% CI, 1.03–3.72, P = 0.041) compared with control patients. The analysis was also stratified for drug type, study location, treatment arm, and treatment line, but no significant differences in RRs were observed.

Conclusion

Treatment with EGFR TKIs gefitinib and erlotinib is associated with a significant increase in the risk of developing both all-grade and fatal ILD events in advanced NSCLC.     

A randomised phase II study of docetaxel/oxaliplatin and docetaxel in patients with previously treated non-small cell lung cancer: an Alpe-Adria Thoracic Oncology Multidisciplinary group trial (ATOM 019)

Introduction

To date, no combination regimen has proven superior to single agent chemotherapy as a second-line treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

This multicenter, non-comparative randomised phase II trial evaluated the activity of docetaxel (75 mg/m² on day 1) with oxaliplatin (70 mg/m² on day 2) every 3 weeks in previously treated NSCLC patients; the reference arm was single-agent docetaxel (75 mg/m² on day 1 every 3 weeks). It was designed as a one-stage, three-outcome phase II trial; 21 evaluable patients were required in each arm. The primary end-point was response rate; secondary end-points were toxicity, progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival.

Results

Fifty patients were enrolled. Patient characteristics included male/female, 76/24%; median age 62 years; ECOG PS 0/1, 36/64%; previous platinum-based chemotherapy, 98%. Partial response was seen in 20% and 8%, stable disease in 52% and 32%, of patients treated with docetaxel/oxaliplatin and docetaxel, respectively. Main grade 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia 56% and 64%; febrile neutropenia 4% and 8%; diarrhoea 12% and 4% for docetaxel/oxaliplatin and docetaxel, respectively. Median PFS was 5.0 and 1.7 months, median survival 11.0 and 7.1 months, and 1-year survival 44% and 32% for docetaxel/oxaliplatin and docetaxel, respectively.

Conclusions

The study met its pre-defined study end-point; docetaxel/oxaliplatin and more generally platinum-containing doublets warrant further evaluation as second-line therapy for patients with NSCLC.     

A pharmacokinetic and phase II study of gallium nitrate in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and activity of gallium nitrate in non-small cell lung cancer when 700 mg/m² was given as a 30-min infusion with prehydration every 2 weeks. Gallium was measured in plasma and urine using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry, and pharmacokinetics of total and ultrafilterable gallium were calculated. Twenty-five patients with non-small cell lung cancer received 1–12 (median 2) courses of gallium nitrate every 2 weeks. Of 21 patients evaluable for response, 1 partial response was recorded, 4 patients had stable disease, and 16 had progressed. The most serious toxicities were renal impairment and optic neuritis. Hypocalcaemia was recorded in 3 patients. The mean C_max was 15.2 ± 3.1 μg/ml (range 9.5–21.2). Most gallium remained ultrafilterable for the first 10 h, after which plasma protein binding increased, and at 48 h only 11% was present as ultrafilterable gallium. The elimination profiles of both total and ultrafilterable gallium were biphasic, and the distribution phase consisted of ultrafilterable gallium, with a distribution half-life of 1.4 h. Total gallium plateaued at 1.9 μg/ml at between 8 and 12 h, and the estimated elimination half-life was 63 h. The elimination half-life of ultrafilterable gallium was 16.5 h. Inter- and intra-patient variability in pharmacokinetics was minimal. A mean of 50 ± 14% of the gallium dose was excreted in the urine within 48 h. A short infusion of gallium nitrate achieving high peak plasma concentrations results in little efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer. Received: 5 March 1999 / Accepted: 24 May 1999     

突变特异性免疫组织化学法检测非小细胞肺癌EGFR基因突变

背景与目的：表皮生长因子受体(epidermal growth factor receptor,EGFR)基因的突变状态是非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)患者使用EGFR酪氨酸激酶抑制剂(tyrosine kinase inhibitors, TKIs)的重要疗效预测指标。该研究旨在探讨突变特异性免疫组织化学(immunohistochemistry,IHC)法检测NSCLC标本EGFR基因突变的临床实用价值。方法：同时采用突变特异性IHC法和扩增阻滞突变系统(amplifi-cation refractory mutation system,ARMS)法检测290例NSCLC患者的EGFR基因突变状态,计算突变特异性IHC法检测EGFR基因突变的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值(positive predictive value,PPV)和阴性预测值(negative predictive value,NPV);比较ARMS法和突变特异性IHC法检测EGFR突变的一致性。结果：以ARMS法检测结果为金标准,当染色评分≥1+为阳性时,突变特异性IHC法诊断EGFR基因突变的灵敏度为72.92%,特异度为95.20%,PPV为93.75%,NPV为78.08%。突变特异性IHC法诊断不同类型EGFR基因突变的准确性相差明显：诊断19外显子缺失突变的灵敏度只有55.55%,但其特异度在99%以上;当染色评分为1+时,诊断L858R突变的灵敏度为90.27%,特异度为95.86%,当染色评分为2+或3+时,其特异度则为98.63%~100%。突变特异性IHC法与ARMS法检测结果有较好的一致性(P<0.001,Kappa值：0.612~0.864)。突变特异性IHC法能直观判断EGFR基因突变细胞丰度。结论：突变特异性IHC法是EGFR突变分子检测的有效补充。     

A phase II trial of accelerated hypofractionated three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (HypoRT) combined with sequential chemotherapy in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials and methods

A total of 34 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. All patients received accelerated HypoRT (initially 50 Gy/20 fractions, then a fraction dose of 3 Gy) using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), omitting elective nodal irradiation (ENI), to a total dose of 65-68 Gy. All patients received two cycles of induction chemotherapy; 1-2 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy were given to 31 patients. The primary outcome measure was a profile of radiation toxicity. The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), locoregional PFS (LR-PFS) and the pattern of initial failure.

Results

Radiation toxicity was minimal. The median and 3-year OS, PFS were 19.0 months, 32.1%; 10.0 months, 29.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year LR-PFS were 69.6%, 60.9% and 60.9%, respectively. No patient experienced isolated elective nodal failure as the first site of failure.

Conclusion

This study suggests that accelerated HypoRT using 3D-CRT omitting ENI can be used in combination with sequential chemotherapy in locally advanced NSCLC.     

泰素联合卡铂化疗和同步放疗治疗局部晚期非小细胞的肺癌Ⅰ期？…

目的 评价泰素联合卡铂化疗和同步放疗在局部晚期非小细胞肺癌治疗中的疗效和毒性反应。方法 自１９９６年７月至１９９８年６月,１５例不能手术的初治局部晚期非小细胞肺癌患者行泰素联合卡铂化疗和同步放疗。ⅢＡ期７例（４７％）,ⅢＢ期８例（５３％）;鳞癌１４例（９３％）,腺癌１例（７％）。在放疗开始的第１天、第１５天和第２９天分别给予泰素４０ｍｇ／ｍ＾２（静滴１小时）和卡铂１５０ｍｇ／ｍ＾２,放疗总剂量为６     

非小细胞肺癌放化综合治疗的前瞻性随机研究

目的 对比观察非小细胞肺癌单纯放疗和放化综合治疗的疗效。方法 从１９９５年１月 到１９９７年１２月,将符合入组条件的８２例非小细胞肺癌患者随机分为放疗组和化放疗综合治疗组。其中完成治疗计划的有７４例,３５例属单纯放疗组,３９例属化放疗综合治疗组。综合治疗组中２１例为增敏化疗（氟脲嘧啶、顺铂）,在放疗的第１、４周给药;１８例为联合方案化疗,在放疗前、中、后进行,最少两周期,药物为卡铂、顺铂、足叶乙甙