Abstract

Combining EGF receptor inhibitors with chemotherapy or chemoradiotherapy in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Author(s): Bruno R Bastos and Rogerio C Lilenbaum

The use of EGF receptor inhibitors has recently been incorporated into the armamentarium of agents available to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Their use in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy has been investigated in Phase II and III trials. The use of EGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy has been somewhat disappointing, whereas the use of anti- EGF receptor monoclonal cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy has provided mixed results. The use of cetuximab in combination with chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced disease has generated encouraging results in Phase II trials, and Phase III trials are currently ongoing. The identification of molecular biomarkers to predict benefit is a work in progress.