Clinical Response of Gefitinib on Malignant Pleural Effusions in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

• DOI: 10.29685/jcm.200804.0004
• Publication Date: 2008-04-10
• Authors: Chi‐Hsien Chen; Chien‐Hung Gow; Chong‐Jen Yu; Jin‐Yuan Shih; Y. L. Hsu; Wen-Yu Lee; Pan‐Chyr Yang; Sow-Hsong Kuo
• Keywords: Pleurodesis

AIM: Gefitinib has been used in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is known to provide favorable outcomes some patients, especially Asian ethnicity. However, its ability stop malignant pleural effusion progression patients remains unclear. METHODS: The clinical response outcome gefitinib-treated NSCLC with effusions were reviewed retrospectively. Their associations epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation skin toxicity also studied. RESULTS: Fifty-six included our study. rate control 52% 77%, respectively. Fifteen twenty examined proved have EGFR mutation. There better longer effusion-progression-free survival (P=0.032 0.02, respectively). Gefitinib-induced was associated (P=0.003). Seventeen had received pleurodesis before starting gefitinib. In those who did not receive pleurodesis, maximal correlated their extra-pleural (P＜0.001). median between non-pleurodesis group shown no significant difference (5.0 4.8 months, respectively, P=0.81). CONCLUSION: Effusion rates are high patients. Early can be withheld taking