A Phase II Study of Erlotinib as Initial Treatment for Patients with Stage IIIB-IV Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Despite a modest response rate, lack of enrichment for never-smokers and absence of conventional chemotherapy in many patients, the median and long-term survivals were comparable with those expected after conventional sequencing of chemotherapy. Erlotinib as initial therapy was well tolerated and warrants randomized evaluation as first-line treatment for advanced lung cancer.