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Background Targeting epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) has been a novel strategy in treating non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This multicenter, community-based trial was designed to examine the role of cetuximab in combination with a nonplatinum regimen. Patients and Methods Eligibility criteria were newly diagnosed unresectable stage III/IV NSCLC, all histologies, measurable disease, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 0-2. Treatment premedication included dexamethasone 20 mg orally 12 and 6 hours before treatment, and 4 mg 12 hours following treatment; diphenhydramine 50 mg intravenously (I.V.) and cimetidine 300 mg I.V. before cetuximab. Treatment medication included docetaxel 30 mg/m 2 I.V. days 1 and 8; gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 I.V. days 1 and 8; and cetuximab 400 mg/m 2 I.V. day 1, then 250 mg/m 2 I.V. weekly. Patients received up to 6 cycles with restaging every 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was an overall response rate (ORR) ≥ 25%. Results Sixty-nine patients enrolled from July 2005 to October 2007. Patients had a median age of 69 years; 70% were male and 30% were female; ECOG PS was 0 in 42%, 1 in 51%, and 2 in 7%; patients had adenocarcinoma (42%), squamous cell (30%), large cell (6%), mixed (1%), and not otherwise specified (20%) disease. The ORR was 17% (95% CI, 9%-29%). Thirty-five patients (54%) had stable disease; 14 patients (22%) had progressive disease. With a median follow-up of 17.8 months, the median progression-free and overall survivals were 4 months and 9.4 months, respectively. The most common (> 10%) grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (25%), rash (22%), and fatigue (12%). Accrual in our middle Tennessee offices was temporarily suspended and ultimately stopped because of a higher-than-anticipated rate of cetuximab-related severe hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) in 4 patients among the first 12 enrolled, including 1 fatal event. Conclusion Cetuximab/docetaxel/gemcitabine was relatively well-tolerated and associated with efficacy similar to chemotherapy alone. Additional study with cetuximab/chemotherapy in NSCLC should focus on new potentially predictive biomarkers. Also, additional study is needed to better understand and prevent the severe HSRs that appear to be endemic to specific regions of the United States.

BACKGROUND: Patients with advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and poor performance status (PS) are often excluded from trials. Gefitinib is a safe oral agent that may benefit these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients with poor PS and advanced NSCLC were enrolled onto this study of gefitinib 250 mg per day given orally until disease progression, with evaluation at 8 weeks. Eligible patients had no previous chemotherapy, an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS of 2/3, and stage IIIB/IV NSCLC. Quality of life (QOL) and symptom response (SR) scores were calculated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer–Lung questionnaire. Patient characteristics included a median age of 75 years; PS of 2/3; and bronchoalveolar (n = 3), adenocarcinoma (n = 29), squamous cell (n = 21), large-cell (n = 11), and unspecified histology (n = 6). Mean treatment duration was 4 months (range, 3 days to 18 months), and median duration of follow-up was 12 months. Grade 3/4 toxicities included rash and diarrhea. RESULTS: Among 70 patients assessed for response, there were 3 partial responses (4%), 32 patients with stable disease (46%), and 18 with progressive disease (26%). Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 3.7 months and 6.3 months, respectively. Six-month and 1-year PFS and OS rates were 35% and 21% and 50% and 24%, respectively. Eighty-two percent and 48% of patients reported improvements or no change in QOL and SR, respectively. CONCLUSION: Gefitinib demonstrates modest efficacy and is well tolerated as initial therapy in advanced NSCLC for patients with poor PS.