Gefitinib in combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase III trial--INTACT 2.

PURPOSE: Preclinical studies indicate that gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE), an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, may enhance antitumor efficacy of cytotoxics, and combination with paclitaxel and carboplatin had acceptable tolerability in a phase I trial. Gefitinib monotherapy demonstrated unparalleled antitumor activity for a biologic agent, with less toxicity than docetaxel, in phase II trials in refractory, advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial evaluated gefitinib plus paclitaxel and carboplatin in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received paclitaxel 225 mg/m(2) and carboplatin area under concentration/time curve of 6 mg/min/mL (day 1 every 3 weeks) plus gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, or placebo. After a maximum of six cycles, daily gefitinib or placebo continued until disease progression. End points included overall survival, time to progression (TTP), response rate (RR), and safety evaluation. Results A total of 1,037 patients were recruited. Baseline demographic characteristics were well balanced. There was no difference in overall survival (median, 8.7, 9.8, and 9.9 months for gefitinib 500 mg/d, 250 mg/d, and placebo, respectively; P =.64), TTP, or RR between arms. Expected dose-related diarrhea and skin toxicity were observed in gefitinib-treated patients, with no new significant/unexpected safety findings from combination with chemotherapy. Subset analysis of patients with adenocarcinoma who received > or = 90 days' chemotherapy demonstrated statistically significant prolonged survival, suggesting a gefitinib maintenance effect. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib showed no added benefit in survival, TTP, or RR compared with standard chemotherapy alone. This large, placebo-controlled trial confirmed the favorable gefitinib safety profile observed in phase I and II monotherapy trials.     

Results from a pilot Phase I trial of gefitinib combined with docetaxel and estramustine in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib, which is an orally active epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, has demonstrated activity against hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in preclinical studies. In this pilot Phase I trial, the authors evaluated the tolerability, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of gefitinib combined with estramustine and docetaxel in patients with HRPC. METHODS: Patients received gefitinib (at a dose of 250 mg/day or 500 mg/day) on each day of a 21-day treatment cycle. Docetaxel (at a dose of 60 mg/m(2)) was administered on Day 1, and estramustine (at a dose of 280 mg) was administered 3 times daily on Days 1 through 5. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were recruited at each gefitinib dose level. The most common adverse events observed were consistent with the known profiles of gefitinib, docetaxel, and estramustine. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. Adverse events considered to be gefitinib related included diarrhea (n = 23 patients), rash (n = 8 patients), nausea (n = 7 patients), dry skin (n = 6 patients), and emesis (n = 6 patients). Overall, 9 of 22 evaluable patients (40.9%) experienced a pain response. and 9 of 30 patients (30%) had a prostate-specific antigen response. A partial objective tumor response was demonstrated in 1 of 13 evaluable patients (7.7%) in each dose group; the median time to progression for both doses combined was 185 days (range, 28-233 days). Data comparisons within individual patients suggested that docetaxel and estramustine had no effect on gefitinib steady-state levels. Gefitinib had no effect on docetaxel exposure at the 250-mg dose but decreased exposure at the 500-mg dose. However, gefitinib may increase exposure to estramustine, particularly at the 500 mg/day dose. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study demonstrated that gefitinib combined with estramustine and docetaxel had acceptable and predictable tolerability. However, it is unclear whether gefitinib provides an additional clinical benefit over docetaxel and estramustine alone.     

Gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: a phase III trial--INTACT 1.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the addition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE) to standard first-line gemcitabine and cisplatin provides clinical benefit over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone in patients with advanced or metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Gefitinib has demonstrated encouraging efficacy in advanced NSCLC in phase II trials in pretreated patients, and a phase I trial of gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin showed favorable tolerability. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a phase III randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial in chemotherapy-naive patients with unresectable stage III or IV NSCLC. All patients received up to six cycles of chemotherapy (cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 and gemcitabine 1,250 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 of the 3-week cycle) plus either gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, or placebo. Daily gefitinib or placebo was continued until disease progression. End points included overall survival (primary), time to progression, response rates, and safety evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 1,093 patients were enrolled. There was no difference in efficacy end points between the treatment groups: for the gefitinib 500 mg/d, gefitinib 250 mg/d, and placebo groups, respectively, median survival times were 9.9, 9.9, and 10.9 months (global ordered log-rank [GOLrank] P =.4560), median times to progression were 5.5, 5.8, and 6.0 months (GOLrank; P =.7633), and response rates were 49.7%, 50.3%, and 44.8%. No significant unexpected adverse events were seen. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced NSCLC did not have improved efficacy over gemcitabine and cisplatin alone. The reasons for this remain obscure and require further preclinical testing.     

A phase II trial of gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) in stage IV and recurrent renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in 75 to 90% of renal cell carcinomas and may play a role in tumor initiation and progression. Gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839) is a potent, selective EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This trial was undertaken to assess the efficacy and toxicity of gefitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Oral gefitinib, 500 mg once daily, was given continuously. A single-dose reduction to 250 mg daily was allowed for toxicity. The primary end point was response rate (defined as complete remission + partial remission + stable disease). Secondary end points were progression-free survival, overall survival, toxicity, and correlation of response with EGFR status. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled on this study, and all are evaluable for response and toxicity. Patient characteristics were median age 61 (range, 35-78 years); 17 males, 4 females; median performance status 0 (range 0-2); median number of prior systemic therapies 1 (range, 0-3). The median and mean number of cycles of therapy received was 3 and 4.7 (range, 1-14+). The best response was stable disease in eight patients (38%). Median progression-free survival was 2.7 months. Median overall survival was 8.3 months. The difference in overall survival was significantly different between patients with progressive disease versus stable disease (6.1 months versus 16+ months; Log-Rank test P value < 0.0001). Three patients required a dose reduction, all for grade 3 diarrhea. There was no apparent correlation between EGFR status and stability of disease or progression of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib is without significant conventional activity in renal cell carcinoma. The relation of "stable disease" to treatment or to disease-related prognostic heterogeneity remains to be defined.     

Gefitinib in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid and irinotecan in patients with 5-FU/oxaliplatin- refractory colorectal cancer: a phase I/II study of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Internistische Onkologie (AIO)

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It potentiates cytotoxic drug activity in human xenografts. This phase I/II dose-finding study evaluated gefitinib in combination with a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/folinic acid (FA)/irinotecan (FOLFIRI-AIO) regimen in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients received gefitinib 250 mg per day, and escalating doses of FOLFIRI-AIO i.v. (dose level (DL) 1: 1600/ 500/60 mg/m(2); DL2: 1600/500/80 mg/m(2); DL3: 2000/500/ 80 mg/m(2)) weekly x 6. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was determined in patients who completed 1 cycle of therapy. RESULTS: 13 patients were enrolled. 1 out of 6 patients on DL1 exhibited DLT (acute psychosis), and a total of 7 patients received DL2. Of those, 3 patients had DLT during cycle 1 (nausea/vomiting n = 2; diarrhea n = 1, fatigue n = 2). Recruitment was stopped at this DL because of the unfavorable toxicity profile observed during the first and subsequent treatment cycles (out of 7 patients: nausea/vomiting grade 3 n = 2, diarrhea grade 3 n = 2; fatigue n = 3). Only 1 patient showed a partial remission, and 2 patients experienced stabilization of disease. CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalation had to be stopped early because of gastrointestinal toxicity and fatigue. This treatment regimen did not seem advantageous with respect to efficacy in comparison with FOLFIRIAIO alone.     

Phase I/II trial of gefitinib and oxaliplatin in patients with advanced colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancers frequently overexpress the epidermal growth factor receptor. Gefitinib (Iressa), an inhibitor of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, is synergistic with oxaliplatin in preclinical colon cancer models. The authors conducted a phase I/II trial of gefitinib plus oxaliplatin in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer. In the phase I portion, 14 patients received oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 intravenously every 21 days and gefitinib orally daily at 1 of 2 dose levels: 250 mg/day (8 patients), and 500 mg/day (6 patients). There were no objective responses. Three patients (38%) in the 250-mg cohort experienced disease stabilization for a median of 12 weeks, and 1 patient in the 500-mg cohort had stable disease for 18 weeks. Nausea/vomiting and rash were dose limiting. The randomized phase II part of the trial, in which patients were to receive oxaliplatin with or without gefitinib, was canceled due to the inactivity of single-agent gefitinib observed in the phase I portion, and emergent phase III data regarding the minimal activity of single-agent oxaliplatin. The authors conclude that the combination of gefitinib plus oxaliplatin is inactive in advanced colorectal cancer.     

Phase II trial of gefitinib 250 mg daily in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

PURPOSE: An objective response rate of 11% was reported in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) treated with 500 mg daily gefitinib although the recommended dose in lung cancer is 250 mg. This study evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of 250 mg daily gefitinib in patients with recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Phase II trial with objective response rate as the primary end point. Measurements of quality of life and levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha were assessed before and during therapy. RESULTS: In 70 patients, 1 (1.4%) partial response was observed. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 1.8 and 5.5 months, respectively. Quality of life scores improved transiently during the first weeks of therapy before returning to baseline. Median vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor-alpha levels were above the normal range but were not predictive of outcome. Four patients experienced grade 3 drug-related adverse events. Rash of any grade was observed in 64% of subjects. Correlation between disease control (partial response + stable disease), progression-free survival, and overall survival and grade of cutaneous toxicity was observed (P = 0.001, 0.001, and 0.008 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Gefitinib monotherapy at 250 mg in recurrent and/or metastatic SCCHN seems to have less activity than was previously observed for 500 mg daily. A dose-response relationship may exist for this agent in SCCHN and grade of cutaneous toxicity attributable to gefitinib is a clinical predictor of better outcome.     

Multi-institutional randomized phase II trial of gefitinib for previously treated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (The IDEAL 1 Trial) [corrected]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of two doses of gefitinib (Iressa [ZD1839]; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE), a novel epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with pretreated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter phase II trial. Two hundred ten patients with advanced NSCLC who were previously treated with one or two chemotherapy regimens (at least one containing platinum) were randomly assigned to receive either 250-mg or 500-mg oral doses of gefitinib once daily. RESULTS: Efficacy was similar for the 250- and 500-mg/d groups. Objective tumor response rates were 18.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.5 to 27.3) and 19.0% (95% CI, 12.1 to 27.9); among evaluable patients, symptom improvement rates were 40.3% (95% CI, 28.5 to 53.0) and 37.0% (95% CI, 26.0 to 49.1); median progression-free survival times were 2.7 and 2.8 months; and median overall survival times were 7.6 and 8.0 months, respectively. Symptom improvements were recorded for 69.2% (250 mg/d) and 85.7% (500 mg/d) of patients with a tumor response. Adverse events (AEs) at both dose levels were generally mild (grade 1 or 2) and consisted mainly of skin reactions and diarrhea. Drug-related toxicities were more frequent in the higher-dose group. Withdrawal due to drug-related AEs was 1.9% and 9.4% for patients receiving gefitinib 250 and 500 mg/d, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib showed clinically meaningful antitumor activity and provided symptom relief as second- and third-line treatment in these patients. At 250 mg/d, gefitinib had a favorable AE profile. Gefitinib 250 mg/d is an important, novel treatment option for patients with pretreated advanced NSCLC [corrected]     

Sequential administration of docetaxel followed by maintenance gefitinib, as salvage treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC: a multicenter phase II trial

PURPOSE: To evaluate the activity and toxicity of the sequential administration of docetaxel followed by gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND TREATMENT: Forty-one patients pre-treated with at least one prior chemotherapy regimen (platinum- or taxane-based) for advanced/metastatic NSCLC received three cycles of docetaxel 30 mg/m2, administered as a 1-h IV infusion, on days 1, 8 and 15 of each 4-week cycle followed by gefitinib 250 mg daily po. Gefitinib treatment was continued until disease progression, development of unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of patients consent. RESULTS: Two (4.9%) patients achieved a partial response and 10 (24.4%) stable disease, for a disease control rate of 29.3% (95% CI: 15.3%-43.2%) while on weekly docetaxel treatment. Additionally, progressive disease (PD) was observed in 29 (70.7%). No objective responses were observed during the gefitinib maintenance therapy; however, 17 (41.5%) patients presented stable disease maintained for more than 2 months. Median time to progression was 3.0 months (range: 1-38.3 months; 95% CI: 2.4-3.6); median overall survival 6.9 months (range: 1.2-40.2 months; 95% CI: 5.34-8.52) while the 1-year survival was 28.8%. Therapy was generally well tolerated with diarrhea and rash being the most frequent toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential administration of docetaxel and gefitinib was well tolerated and moderately active against advanced pre-treated NSCLC.     

Multicenter phase II trial of gefitinib first-line therapy followed by chemotherapy in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): SAKK protocol 19/03.

BACKGROUND: Gefitinib is active in patients with pretreated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the activity and toxicity of gefitinib first-line treatment in advanced NSCLC followed by chemotherapy at disease progression. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 63 patients with chemotherapy-naive stage IIIB/IV NSCLC received gefitinib 250 mg/day. At disease progression, gefitinib was replaced by cisplatin 80 mg/m(2) on day 1 and gemcitabine 1250 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 for up to six 3-week cycles. Primary end point was the disease stabilization rate (DSR) after 12 weeks of gefitinib. RESULTS: After 12 weeks of gefitinib, the DSR was 24% and the response rate (RR) was 8%. Median time to progression (TtP) was 2.5 months and median overall survival (OS) 11.5 months. Never smokers (n = 9) had a DSR of 56% and a median OS of 20.2 months; patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation (n = 4) had a DSR of 75% and the median OS was not reached after the follow-up of 21.6 months. In all, 41 patients received chemotherapy with an overall RR of 34%, DSR of 71% and median TtP of 6.7 months. CONCLUSIONS: First-line gefitinib monotherapy led to a DSR of 24% at 12 weeks in an unselected patients population. Never smokers and patients with EGFR mutations tend to have a better outcome; hence, further trials in selected patients are warranted.     

Phase I trial of sorafenib in combination with gefitinib in patients with refractory or recurrent non-small cell lung cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the combination of sorafenib and gefitinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: In this dose-escalation trial, patients received oral sorafenib (200-400 mg) twice daily with gefitinib (250 mg orally) once daily to identify the recommended dose for phase II trials (RDP; part A). The pharmacokinetics of the RDP were characterized further in additional patients (part B) receiving single-agent gefitinib or sorafenib for 21 days followed by a 7-day washout with crossover to the other agent for an additional 21 days. Patients then received the combination of sorafenib plus gefitinib in 28-day cycles. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and antitumor efficacy were evaluated. Potential drug-drug interactions and the relationship between pharmacokinetics and toxicity were also assessed. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were treated (n=12, part A; n=19, part B). Most adverse events were grade 1/2. The most frequent grade 3/4 events included diarrhea and elevated alanine aminotransferase (both 9.7%). One dose-limiting toxicity occurred (part A: elevated alanine aminotransferase at 400 mg twice daily). Gefitinib had no effect on sorafenib pharmacokinetics. However, gefitinib C(max) (26%) and area under the curve (38%) were reduced by concomitant sorafenib. One patient had a partial response; 20 (65%; n=8, part A; n=12, part B) had stable disease >or=4 months. The RDP was sorafenib 400 mg twice daily with gefitinib 250 mg once daily. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib combined with gefitinib is well tolerated, with promising efficacy in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Studies to further investigate the significance of the reduction in gefitinib exposure by sorafenib are warranted.     

Phase II study of gefitinib, fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin therapy in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: To investigate the gefitinib, fluorouracil (FU), leucovorin, and oxaliplatin regimen (IFOX) in previously treated patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had stage IV colorectal adenocarcinoma and had demonstrated progression or intolerance to a prior chemotherapy regimen not including oxaliplatin. Each cycle consisted of 14 days. Cycle 1 consisted of oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 intravenously (IV) during 2 hours on day 1, hours 0 to 2; leucovorin 200 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 2, hours 0 to 2; FU 400 mg/m2 IV push on days 1 and 2; and FU 600 mg/m2 IV on days 1 and 2, hours 2 to 24 (FOLFOX-4). All subsequent cycles consisted of FOLFOX-4 with gefitinib at 500 mg/d administered orally throughout the 14-day cycle. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients were enrolled onto the study. The median number of prior chemotherapy regimens was two, and 74% of all patients received prior irinotecan. Nine of the 27 patients (33%) and six of the 20 patients (30%) who had prior FU and irinotecan had a partial response by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors Group criteria. Median overall survival was 12.0 months. Median event-free survival was 5.4 months. Grade 3 to 4 toxicities included neutropenia (48%), diarrhea (48%), nausea (22%), and vomiting (15%). CONCLUSION: IFOX is an active regimen in patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma, demonstrating higher response rates than those reported with FOLFOX-4 alone in a similar patient population.     

Phase I/II trial of cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and escalated doses of carboplatin supported by peripheral-blood stem cells in women with metastatic breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To intensify a regimen of high-dose cyclophosphamide, mitoxantrone, and carboplatin that had previously produced high complete and overall response rates in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-four patients with a median age of 43 years (range, 25 to 57 years) and previously untreated MBC who were responding to anthracycline-based or single-agent taxane chemotherapy received cyclophosphamide 1.5 g/m(2)/d and mitoxantrone 16 mg/m(2)/d combined with escalating doses of carboplatin 200 to 500 mg/m(2)/d, each given daily from days -6 to -3. Hematopoiesis was supported by mobilized peripheral-blood stem cells infused on day 0 and by use of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor 300 microg/d subcutaneously starting on day 1. RESULTS: A total of six dose levels of carboplatin were examined. Grades 3 and 4 toxicity occurred in 10 patients and one patient, respectively, with grade 3 toxicity occurring in only five of 31 patients treated with < or = 400 mg/m(2) of carboplatin. Major dose-limiting toxicities were cardiac, pulmonary, and renal. Four patients developed congestive heart failure: two had persistently low ejection fraction 11 and 36 months after peripheral-blood stem-cell transplantation (PBSCT), and two recovered. Hematologic recovery to an absolute neutrophil count of greater than 0.5 x 10(9)/L occurred at a median of 11 days (range, 8 to 25 days) and to a platelet count of greater than 20 x 10(9)/L at a median of 10.5 days (range, 6 to 60 days). There were two toxic deaths from sepsis: one on day 27 (level 5) and one from cardiac arrest on day 42 (level 6). CONCLUSION: The maximum-tolerated dose of carboplatin was 400 mg/m(2)/d in combination with mitoxantrone 16 mg/m(2)/d and cyclophosphamide 1,500 mg/m(2), all drugs given over 4 days. This regimen is being tested in a phase III trial of high-dose chemotherapy and PBSCT versus standard treatment.     

Gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressa) as palliative treatment in recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer

To assess the level of activity and toxicity of gefitinib (ZD1839, Iressatrade mark) in a population of patients with locally recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck cancer. Patients were recruited into an expanded access programme through the multidisciplinary head and neck clinics at the Royal Marsden and St George's Hospitals. Patients were required to have received at least one course of standard systemic chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or be medically unfit for chemotherapy. Patients were commenced on single-agent gefitinib at a dose of 500 mg day(-1). Clinical, symptomatic and radiological response, time to progression (TTP), survival and toxicity were recorded. A total of 47 patients were enrolled (35 male and 12 female) with a median age of 62 years (range 18-93 years). The observed clinical response rate was 8% with a disease control rate (complete response, partial response, stable disease) of 36%. In all, 34% of patients experienced an improvement in their symptoms. The median TTP and survival were 2.6 and 4.3 months, respectively. Acneiform folliculitis was the most frequent toxicity observed (76%) but the majority of cases were grade 1 or 2. Only four patients experienced grade 3 toxicity of any type (all cases of folliculitis). Gefitinib was well tolerated and yielded symptomatic improvement in one-third of patients. However, this agent appeared to possess limited antitumour activity in this group of patients with head and neck cancer in whom the objective response rate, median TTP and survival were all lower than has been reported in a previous study.     

吉非替尼治疗化疗失败的晚期非小细胞肺癌临床观察

目的:评价吉非替尼治疗化疗失败的晚期非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)的疗效及不良反应。方法:对68例化疗失败的经病理或细胞学证实的晚期NSCLC患者给予吉非替尼250mg,qd,口服,至病情进展或出现不可耐受的不良反应。结果:68例患者中,CR 1例,PR 20例,SD 23例,PD 24例。有效率30.88%(21/68),疾病控制率为64.71%(44/68);全组中位疾病进展时间(TTP)为5.2个月,中位生存时间为9.3个月,1年生存率为52.94%(36/68)。与药物相关的不良反应主要为Ⅰ、Ⅱ度皮疹和腹泻,皮疹发生率为26.47%(18/68),腹泻发生率为19.12%(13/68),多在用药后1周内出现,症状轻不需特殊处理。1例出现Ⅰ度转氨酶升高。结论:吉非替尼治疗化疗失败的晚期非小细胞肺癌安全有效,不良反应轻微,患者耐受性和依从性良好。     

A phase II study to determine the ability of gefitinib to reverse fluoropyrimidine resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer (the INFORM study)

There are data suggesting that inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase signalling may reverse resistance to fluoropyrimidine treatment. To investigate this further, the INFORM study was an open-label, non-comparative phase II study of gefitinib (Iressa, ZD1839; AstraZeneca, Wilmington, DE, USA) 250 mg daily in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU administered as an intravenous 400 mg m(-2) bolus injection followed by 2800 mg m(-2) infusion over 46 h and folinic acid administered as a 350 mg infusion over 2 h) every 2 weeks for up to 12 cycles in 24 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory to previous fluoropyrimidine treatment. There were no objective responses. The stable disease rate was 37.5% (95% CI: 18.80, 59.41), median progression-free survival measured 116 days and overall survival was 226 days. Quality of life was unchanged compared to baseline values, and the commonest toxicities were diarrhoea, rash and fatigue with 7 out of 24 (29%) patients having a grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Gefitinib does not sensitise patients with fluoropyrimidine refractory metastatic colorectal cancer to 5-FU chemotherapy.     

United States Food and Drug Administration Drug Approval summary: Gefitinib (ZD1839; Iressa) tablets.

On May 5, 2003, gefitinib (Iressa; ZD1839) 250-mg tablets (AstraZeneca Inc.) received accelerated approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration as monotherapy for patients with locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer after failure of both platinum-based and docetaxel chemotherapies. Information provided in this summary includes chemistry manufacturing and controls, clinical pharmacology, and clinical trial efficacy and safety results. Gefitinib is an anilinoquinazoline compound with the chemical name 4-quinazolinamine,N-(3-chloro-4-flurophenyl)-7-methoxy-6-[3-(4-morpholinyl)propoxy]. It has the molecular formula C(22)H(24)ClFN(4)O(3). Gefitinib is often referred to as a "specific" or "selective" inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor. Studies demonstrate, however, that gefitinib inhibits the activity of other intracellular transmembrane tyrosine-specific protein kinases at concentrations similar to those at which it inhibits the epidermal growth factor signal. Maximum plasma concentrations resulting from clinically relevant doses are 0.5-1 microM or more, well within the IC(50) values of several tyrosine kinases. No clinical studies have been performed that demonstrate a correlation between epidermal growth factor receptor expression and response to gefitinib. Gefitinib is 60% available after oral administration and is widely distributed throughout the body. Gefitinib is extensively metabolized in the liver by cytochrome P450 3A4 enzyme. Over a 10-day period, approximately 86% of an orally administered radioactive dose is recovered in the feces, with <4% of the dose in the urine. After daily oral administration, steady-state plasma levels are reached in 10 days and are 2-fold higher than those achieved after single doses. Gefitinib effectiveness was demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, Phase II, multicenter trial comparing two oral doses of gefitinib (250 versus 500 mg/day). A total of 216 patients were enrolled. The 142 patients who were refractory to or intolerant of a platinum and docetaxel comprised the evaluable population for the efficacy analysis. A partial tumor response occurred in 14% (9 of 66) of patients receiving 250 mg/day gefitinib and in 8% (6 of 76) of patients receiving 500 mg/day gefitinib. The overall objective response rate (RR) for both doses combined was 10.6% (15 of 142 patients; 95% confidence interval, 6.0-16.8%). Responses were more frequent in females and in nonsmokers. The median duration of response was 7.0 months (range, 4.6-18.6+ months). Other submitted data included the results of two large trials conducted in chemotherapy-naive, stage III and IV non-small cell lung cancer patients. Patients were randomized to receive gefitinib (250 or 500 mg daily) or placebo, in combination with either gemcitabine plus cisplatin (n = 1093) or carboplatin plus paclitaxel (n = 1037). Results from this study showed no benefit (RR, time to progression, or survival) from adding gefitinib to chemotherapy. Consequently, gefinitib is only recommended for use as monotherapy. Common adverse events associated with gefitinib treatment included diarrhea, rash, acne, dry skin, nausea, and vomiting. Interstitial lung disease has been observed in patients receiving gefitinib. Worldwide, the incidence of interstitial lung disease was about 1% (2% in the Japanese post-marketing experience and about 0.3% in a United States expanded access program). Approximately one-third of the cases have been fatal. Gefitinib was approved under accelerated approval regulations on the basis of a surrogate end point, RR. No controlled gefitinib trials, to date, demonstrate a clinical benefit, such as improvement in disease-related symptoms or increased survival. Accelerated approval regulations require the sponsor to conduct additional studies to verify that gefitinib therapy produces such benefit.     

Randomized phase II study of two doses of gefitinib in hormone-refractory prostate cancer: a trial of the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group.

PURPOSE: Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor receptor has been demonstrated in advanced prostate cancer and is associated with a poor outcome. A multi-institutional, randomized, phase II study was undertaken by the National Cancer Institute of Canada-Clinical Trials Group to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of two doses of oral gefitinib in patients with minimally symptomatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July and November 2001, 40 patients with HRPC and increasing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or progression in measurable disease who had not received prior chemotherapy were randomly assigned to 250 mg (n = 19) or 500 mg (n = 21) oral gefitinib daily continuously. The primary end points were PSA response rate and objective measurable response. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Prostate Cancer Subscale (FACT-P) quality-of-life questionnaires were completed at baseline and during treatment. RESULTS: None of the patients demonstrated a PSA or objective measurable response. Five (14.3%) of 35 assessable patients had stable PSA (one patient at 250 mg and four patients at 500 mg), and five patients (14.3%) had a best response of stable disease (duration, 2.5 to 16.8 months). No significant effect on the rate of increase in PSA was seen. The most common drug-related nonhematologic toxicities observed were grade 1 to 2 diarrhea (250 mg, 65%; 500 mg, 56%), fatigue (250 mg, 29%; 500 mg, 33%), and grade 1 to 2 skin rash (250 mg, 24%; 500 mg, 39%). FACT-P scores decreased during treatment, indicating worsening of symptoms compared with baseline. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib did not result in any responses in PSA or objective measurable disease at either dose level. Gefitinib has minimal single-agent activity in HRPC.     

吉非替尼一线治疗34例晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效分析

背景与目的：分子靶向药物吉非替尼单药治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌具有较好的疗效和安全性。本文观察吉非替尼一线治疗晚期非小细胞肺癌的疗效和不良反应。方法：34例病理确诊的不愿或不能接受传统细胞毒性药物化疗的非小细胞肺癌患者,口服吉非替尼250rng,每目1次,持续用药直至肿瘤进展或出现不可耐受的小良反应。结果：吉非替尼的有效率为29．4％,疾病控制率为61．8％,症状改善率为47．1％,中位无进展生存期为3．0个月,中位生存期为10．2个月,1年生存率为35．3％。其中不吸烟患者客观缓解率高于吸烟患者（P=0．023）。出现皮疹患者疾病控制率高于无皮疹患者（P=0．005）,LogistiC回归提示皮疹是疾病控制的独立因素（P=0．003）。最常见的不良反应是皮疹和腹泻。结论：对于不愿或不能接受传统细胞毒性药物化疗的非小细胞肺癌患者,吉非替尼为这些患者提供了另一个选择。     

A phase I trial of intermittent high-dose gefitinib and fixed-dose docetaxel in patients with advanced solid tumors

PURPOSE: Based on our mouse xenograft model demonstrating that intermittent high-dose gefitinib sensitizes tumors to subsequent treatment with taxanes, we initiated this phase I trial to explore docetaxel in combination with escalating doses of intermittent gefitinib (Iressa) given prior to docetaxel. METHODS: This was a phase I study where patients with advanced cancer were treated with escalating doses of gefitinib (1,000, 1,500, 2,250, 3,000 mg) on days 1 and 2 followed by docetaxel (75 mg/m2) on day 3 of a 21 day cycle. Gefitinib pharmacokinetic data were obtained on days 1, 2, and 3 of cycles 1 and 2 at each dose level. RESULTS: 18 patients were enrolled in this study with the most frequent tumor types being non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck squamous cell cancer. The dose-limiting toxicity was neutropenia (n=1 at dose level 2, n=2 at dose level 4). Rash, diarrhea, and fatigue were the most common grade 1-2 toxicities. Pharmacokinetic data indicated no accumulation of gefitinib between cycles 1 and 2 and no clear correlation between gefitinib plasma levels and toxicity. Partial responses were observed in one patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and one patient with anaplastic thyroid cancer. CONCLUSION: The recommended dose for phase II studies is gefitinib 2,250 mg on days 1 and 2, followed by docetaxel 75 mg/m2 on day 3.