Clinical Benefit of Readministration of Gefitinib in Lung Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Yokouchi Hiroshi, Yamazaki Koichi, Kinoshita Ichiro, Konishi Jun, Asahina Hajime, Sukoh Noriaki, Harada Masao, Akie Kenji, Ogura Shigeaki, Ishida Takashi, Munakata Mitsuru, Dosaka-Akita Hirotoshi, Isobe Hiroshi, Nishimura Masaharu
Primary Institution: Hokkaido University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Can gefitinib be effectively readministered to patients with non-small cell lung cancer who initially responded to the treatment?
Conclusion
Patients may still have prolonged survival if they once responded to gefitinib and then underwent various subsequent treatments followed by readministration of gefitinib.
Supporting Evidence
- The best-response rate for gefitinib-responders was 27.3%.
- The median progression-free survival was 13.8 months.
- The median overall survival was 29.2 months.
- Some patients were again sensitive to gefitinib after temporary cessation.
Takeaway
If a patient with lung cancer did well on a medicine called gefitinib, they might still do well if they take it again after a break.
Methodology
The study retrospectively evaluated the clinical courses of 27 NSCLC patients who received gefitinib and achieved either a complete or partial response.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and may not account for all variables affecting patient outcomes.
Participant Demographics
The study included 27 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, with a higher response observed in women, never-smokers, and patients with adenocarcinoma.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI = 11.4 to 16.2 months for PFS; 95% CI = 22.1 to 36.4 months for OS
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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