Gefitinib vs. chemotherapy as first-line therapy in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: Meta-analysis of phase III trials

This meta-analysis confirms the results of each individual study and narrows the confidence intervals of these results. In patients with known EGFR mutations or whose tumors are likely to harbor a mutation, upfront gefitinib or chemotherapy are associated with similar OS. Gefitinib is associated with less fatigue, myelosuppression and nausea than chemotherapy (but produces more skin rash, diarrhea and pneumonitis). Patients receiving gefitinib have improved quality-of-life compared to those receiving chemotherapy, making it an appropriate first-line choice.