Effect of gefitinib re-challenge to initial gefitinib responder with non-small cell lung cancer followed by chemotherapy

PurposeWe investigated the efficacy of gefitinib re-challenge for the patients who responded to initial treatment with gefitinib and acquired resistance to gefitinib thereafter.Experimental designMedical records were retrospectively reviewed in the hospitals of National Hospital Organization from August 2002 to August 2008. Patients histologically or cytologically confirmed NSCLC were eligible if they once responded to initial treatment with gefitinib (CR, PR or SD) and then re-treated with gefitinib following subsequent chemotherapy.ResultTwenty patients (16 PR, 4 SD) were enrolled in this study. After re-treatment with gefitinib, 5 cases showed PR and 8 cases SD. Overall response rate was 25% (5/20) and disease control rate was 65% (13/20) in the gefitinib re-treated patients. Median survival time from the start of the initial gefitinib and from the start of the re-administration of gefitinib were 34.0 and 10.0 months, respectively.ConclusionRe-administration of gefitinib was effective and therefore should be considered as one of the treatment option for the patients with NCLCL who once responded and acquired resistant to gefitinib following subsequent chemotherapy.