Erlotinib, docetaxel, and gefitinib in sequential cohorts with relapsed non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Both docetaxel and erlotinib improve overall survival over best supportive care in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed the effectiveness of erlotinib (E) and gefitinib (G) in patients with relapsed NSCLC in both second- and third-line settings, and compared this with that of docetaxel (D), in our clinical practice.

METHODS: Sequential cohorts of patients with relapsed advanced stage NSCLC who had been treated with erlotinib (150 mg), gefitinib (250 mg), or docetaxel (75 mg/m(2)) were retrospectively identified from our database. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were response rate and progression-free survival.

RESULTS: After adjusting for covariates, there was no significant difference in overall survival between the three drugs in both second-line (median E=24; G=25; D=43 weeks, p=0.17), and third-line (median E=31; G=24; D=29 weeks, p=0.61) settings. Response rates were also not statistically significant between the three drugs across both lines of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Erlotinib, gefitinib, and docetaxel have similar effectiveness in this non-trial setting.