Should epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor be continued beyond progressive disease?

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) is almost exclusively effective in patients with activating EGFR mutations, and median time to progression in such patients is generally up to 12 months. Usually, treatment with EGFR-TKI is terminated when disease progression is confirmed; however, acute exacerbation after the withdrawal of EGFR-TKI has been reported. In this paper, we report a case of a 35-year-old patient whose disease rapidly progressed after discontinuation of gefitinib and then rapidly regressed after reintroduction of gefitinib. In addition, we summarize the cases of 3 other patients who could be safely treated with continued erlotinib in combination with pemetrexed after disease progression. Currently, the mechanism of acquired resistance is intensively investigated and a number of new agents, such as irreversible EGFR inhibitors or MET inhibitors, are under development; however, they are still unavailable in clinical setting. We believe that continuing EGFR-TKI treatment after disease progression should be an option in patients who previously responded to EGFR-TKI under the present circumstances. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG.