Benefit of erlotinib in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer is related to smoking status, gender, skin rash and radiological response but not to histology and treatment line.

BACKGROUND

Erlotinib is a standard of treatment for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer after failure of initial therapy. Patient selection based on clinical factors is under discussion.

METHODS

We analyzed the outcome in relation to clinical factors of 121 consecutive Caucasian patients treated with erlotinib in a routine clinical setting in a comprehensive cancer center and 2 regional oncology centers.

RESULTS

For patients with erlotinib treatment at the 1st/2nd/3rd/> or = 4th line, progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.5/3.5/2.5/3.0 months, and overall survival (OS) was 8.0/8.5/7.8/6.5 months. Patients with adenocarcinoma had an improved PFS, but a similar OS. Never-smokers had longer PFS (7 months) and OS (13 months) than smokers and ex-smokers. Male patients had a slightly longer survival than female patients (PFS 3.0 vs. 2.5 months, OS 8.5 vs. 7.0 months). After adjustment for smoking and histology, the gender difference in OS was significant (adjusted hazard ratio 0.57). Patients with clinically relevant skin toxicity (grade 2, 3) had a significantly prolonged PFS and OS. Patients with partial response on 1st radiological evaluation had a significantly prolonged PFS and OS.

CONCLUSION

Among clinical factors, never-smoking status and male gender predicted a prolonged survival. During treatment, skin toxicity and radiological response were related to better survival.