Abstract:

Background and purpose: New treatment strategies should be explored for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients after the failure of the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). To compare the efficacy and toxicities of chemotherapy in combination with EGFR-TKI or single chemotherapy in advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR-TKI resistence. Methods: In this study, 18 patients were enrolled. Eight patients were treated by chemotherapy combined with EGFR-TKI (CE group); 10 patients were treated by single chemotherapy (E group), 21 days for one cycle. All patients received at least 2 cycles of treatment. Results: All 18 patients had been evaluated. The CE group was similar to the E group in objective response rate (ORR: 25% vs 10%, P=0.832). The CE group was higher than the E group in disease control rate (DCR: 87.5% vs 30%, P=0.046). The median PFS was longer in CE group (3.5 months vs 2.4 months, P=0.05). The CE group was higher than the E group in rash (75% vs 10%, P<0.05). The grade 3-4 toxicities did not have significantly differences between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: Though there was no significant difference in ORR between the 2 groups (P>0.05), the CE group was superior to the E group in DCR and PFS. Patients with retreatment of advanced NSCLC after the failure of EGFR-TKI can be controlled by continued EGFR-TKI and chemotherapy.

Key words: Non-small cell lung cancer, EGFR-TKI resistence, Chemotherapy