Overview
EGFR Inhibitors: What Have We Learned From the Treatment of Lung Cancer? (Medscape)
Aimed at physicians, this Medscape article (reprinted from Nat Clin Pract Oncol v.2 no.11 2005: 554-561) reviews experience with EGFR inhibitors in lung cancer. Topics covered include: mutations associated with responsiveness, additional markers to predict response, acquired resistance, selection of patients for treatment with EGFR inhibitors. Registration required for free access to Medscape. [11/05]
Targeting
Targeted Therapy (New England Journal of Medicine)
by Mark R. Green, MD
v.350, no.21 NEJM (May 20, 2004)
Editorial accompanying an article by Thomas J. Lynch, MD, et al:
"Activating Mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Underlying
Responsiveness of NSCLC to Gefitinib." Explores the issues raised
by this research for understanding how targeted therapy can be optimized.
Aimed at physicians. [5/04]
Breathing
New Life into Lung Cancer Treatment (curetoday.com)
Clear explanation of how epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors
work against lung cancer Includes discussion of Iressa, Tarceva and Erbitux.
Aimed at patients. [4/02]
MSKCC Advances
Lung Cancer Research: Iressa & Tarceva (Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center)
Relates the role of MSK researchers in the discovery and development
surrounding two targeted therapies for lung cancer: Iressa (gefitinib)
& Tarceva (erlotinib) and the challenges that lie ahead. Discusses
ongoing research into the genetic mutations associated with treatment
response and drug resistance.
Treatment Response
Activating
Mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Underlying Responsiveness
of NSCLC to Gefitinib (New England Journal of Medicine)
by Thomas J. Lynch, MD et al.
v.350, no.21 NEJM (May 20, 2004)
Reports the results of a study that found a subgroup of patients
with NSCLC who have specific mutations in the EGFR gene, which correlate
with clinical responsiveness to the tyrosine kinase inhibitor gefitinib.
Screening for such mutations in lung cancer may identify patients who
will respond to gefitinib. Full text available as PDF file. See also the
accompanying editorial by Mark R. Green, MD: "Targeting
Targeted Therapy."] [5/04]
EGFR
Mutations & Gefitinib (Iressa & Tarceva) - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
BAC
& EGFR Inhibitors (Iressa & Tarceva) - Recent MEDLINE
Abstracts (PubMed)
Asian Ethnicity & EGFR Inhibitors (Iressa & Tarceva) - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
Never Smokers & EGFR Inhibitors (Iressa & Tarceva) - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts (PubMed)
EGFR Inhibitor Resistance & 2nd Mutations
New
Class of Drugs May Treat Lung Tumors Resistant to Iressa and Tarceva
(Massachusetts General Hospital)
Discusses the discovery of a new class of drugs that block the epidermal
growth factor receptor (EGFR) on lung cancer cells and may get around
the problem of resistance to targeted therapies, such as Iressa and Tarceva.
Summarizes a report to appear in the Proceedings
of the National Academy of Science that describes the mechanism
by which "irreversible EGFR inhibitors" apparently avoid resistance
and may offer patients longer term remission. [5/05]
EGFR
Mutation and Resistance of NSCLC to Gefitinib (Iressa) (PubMed)
Reports a case in the February 24 issue of the New England Journal
of Medicine of a patient with EGFR-mutant, gefitinib-responsive,
advanced NSCLC who had a relapse after two years of complete remission
during treatment with gefitinib (Iressa). The DNA sequence of the EGFR
in the patient's tumor biopsy specimen at relapse revealed the presence
of a second point mutation. Structural modeling and biochemical studies
showed that this second mutation let to gefitinib (Iressa) resistance.
[2/05]
Overcoming
Acquired Resistance to Iressa/Tarceva with Inhibitors of a Different Class
(PubMed)
Study published in the August 2005 issue of Cell Cycle reports
findings demonstrating that a distinct class of EGFR inhibitors may overcome
some mechanisms of secondary drug resistance in these tumors and may therefore
be useful in treating lung cancer patients who initially responded to
Iressa or Tarceva and eventually relapsed. [8/05]
Iressa
(gefitinib) Resistance & 2nd Mutations - Recent MEDLINE Abstracts
(PubMed)
Testing for EGFR Mutations
Molecular
Test Helps Guide Treatment for Lung Cancer (Partners
Healthcare)
Provides details on the EGFR Kinase Domain Sequencing Test that detects
mutations in a critical part of the gene called epidermal growth factor
receptor (EGFR). The gene mutation is present in a subset of NSCLC, most
commonly patients with adenocarcinoma and bronchioloalveolar carcinomas
arising in nonsmokers. When the mutation is present, it is associated
with a response to the anti-cancer drug Iressa (gefitinib). Discusses
the two studies leading to this finding and provides a link for further
information on accessing the test. [9/04] Click
here for further information on the EGFR mutation test being developed
for commercial use by Genzyme (in conjunction with MGH and DFCI).
Tarceva vs Iressa
The
Current Situation: Erlotinib (Tarceva) vs Gefitinib (Iressa) (The
Oncologist)
v.10, no.7 The Oncologist (August 2005): 467-470
Aimed at physicians, this article examines the research to date involving
erlotinib (Tarceva) and gefitinib (Iressa). Summarizes the results of
trials, discusses pertinent issues (effect of smoking status, importance
of dose, egfr expression, egfr mutation status) and identifies areas for
further study. [8/05]
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