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← Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

HEALTH PROFESSIONAL · SOURCE READING

Erlotinib

Source: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)–Health Professional Version, National Cancer Institute.

Source updated: May 15, 2025 · Captured 2026-09-09.

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Context: Treatment of Progressive Stage IV, Relapsed, and Recurrent NSCLC / Treatment Options for Progressive Stage IV, Relapsed, and Recurrent NSCLC (Second-Line Therapy) / EGFR-directed therapy / EGFR-directed therapy after first-line chemotherapy (for patients with EGFR-sensitizing variants)

Evidence (erlotinib):

Two randomized placebo-controlled trials indicated that erlotinib prolongs survival and time to deterioration in symptoms in patients with NSCLC after first-line or second-line chemotherapy compared with placebo [14,15] but does not improve survival compared with standard second-line chemotherapy with docetaxel or pemetrexed.[16]

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A trial of erlotinib versus best supportive care included 731 patients; 49% had received two previous chemotherapy regimens, and 93% had received platinum-based chemotherapy.

A trial of erlotinib versus best supportive care included 731 patients; 49% had received two previous chemotherapy regimens, and 93% had received platinum-based chemotherapy.

OS was 6.7 months among those who had received two previous chemotherapy regimens and 4.7 months among those who had received platinum-based chemotherapy. The HR was 0.70 (P < .001) in favor of erlotinib.[14][Level of evidence A1]

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In a second trial (NCT00556322), which was designed to show the superiority of erlotinib versus standard second-line chemotherapy after disease progression during first-line platinum combination therapy, 424 patients were randomly assigned.

Source links and citations

In a second trial (NCT00556322), which was designed to show the superiority of erlotinib versus standard second-line chemotherapy after disease progression during first-line platinum combination therapy, 424 patients were randomly assigned.

There was no difference in the primary end point of OS (median OS, 5.3 months vs. 5.5 months; HR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.78–1.19).[16][Level of evidence A1]

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Studies cited in this source section

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Preserved source evidence · Not medical advice