Gefitinib ('Iressa'): a new therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

Patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a poor prognosis and suffer many disease-related symptoms. Treatments should therefore aim to palliate these symptoms as well as improve overall quality of life. Gefitinib ('Iressa') is a novel epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets cell signaling involved in tumor growth and differentiation. In Phase II trials in recurrent NSCLC, gefitinib provided objective responses and symptom relief, and was generally well tolerated. Now approved for the treatment of advanced NSCLC in over 25 countries, including Japan and the USA, gefitinib has demonstrated significant clinical benefit in a disease area with limited treatment options.