Gefitinib and chemotherapy may be considered a first-line treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases.
Recent research has shown that patients with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)-mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases treated with Gefitinib and chemotherapy had better outcomes.
Progression-free survival is the time during and after treatment when the patient lives without disease progression was improved with combination of Chemotherapy and Gefitinib to 15.9 months compared with Gefitinib alone was 9.1 months.
According to the study’s authors, “the findings of this randomized clinical trial suggest that Gefitinib plus chemotherapy may be a viable first-line treatment for patients with brain metastases associated with EGFR-mutated NSCLC”
The several studies shows that the use TKIs in chemotherapy can improve progression-free survival. However, the effectiveness of these medications in patients with brain metastases remains indistinct.
Additionally, patients with EGFR are even more likely to develop brain metastases, at 44% to 63%, and brain metastases occur in 30% to 40% of NSCLC patients.
The study published in journal JAMA, which evaluated 161 patients who received Gefitinib alone (81 patients) or in combination with chemotherapy (80 patients).
Compared to Gefitinib alone, Gefitinib plus chemotherapy also had a better objective response rate of 85% and overall response rate of 80%.
Overall survival was also improved with gefitinib plus chemotherapy by 35 months, while Gefitinib alone by 28.9 months.
According to the authors’ statement, “Improving the treatment outcome of patients with brain metastases became the key point of management of treatment for patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLS”
The information shared in this blog is for educational purposes only.
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