Screening for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutations in Lung Cancer Sep 3, 2009
Background Activating mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) confer hypersensitivity to the tyrosine kinase inhibitors gefitinib and erlotinib in patients with advanced non small-cell lung cancer. We evaluated the feasibility of large-scale screening for EGFR mutations in such patients and analyzed the association between the mutations and the outcome of erlotinib treatment. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Gefitinib or Carboplatin–Paclitaxel in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Sep 3, 2009
NEJM -- Gefitinib or Carboplatin-Paclitaxel in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma ... Gefitinib or Carboplatin Paclitaxel in Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma ... Background Previous, uncontrolled studies have suggested that first-line treatment with gefitinib would be efficacious in selected patients with non small-cell lung cancer. (New England Journal of Medicine)
Gene Mutation Improves Response to Lung Cancer Drug Aug 21, 2009
"However, I think for reasons of quality of life and ease of administration and differences in toxicity profiles, it may still be preferable to give gefitinib [Iressa] first-line." ... "Overall, patients who got gefitinib [Iressa] had a longer time from the start of treatment to the worsening of disease," Simon said. (MEDLINEplus)
A Step Toward Preventing Lung Cancer From Spreading To The Brain And New Clinical Trial Results Aug 11, 2009
10, 2009) Dr. Glen Weiss of the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) and Scottsdale Healthcare recently announced two significant advances in treating lung cancer at an international cancer research conference. Dr. Weiss, M.D., an Associate Investigator in TGen s Cancer and Cell Biology Division and Director of Thoracic Oncology at TGen Clinical Research Services at Scottsdale Healthcare, made both announcements at the 13th World Conference on Lung Cancer in San Francisco. (Science Daily)
Advanced targeted therapies effective as first-line treatment for lung cancer Aug 2, 2009
An EGFR is found at abnormally high levels on the surface of many types of cancer cells, which may divide excessively in the presence of an EGF. The drug gefitinib is intended to attach to the EGFR and, thereby, inhibit the attachment of EGF and stop cancer cell division. IPASS is a randomized phase III study that compared oral gefitinib with chemotherapy as first-line therapy and analyzed the treatment efficacy by EGFR mutation status ... "Our findings show that gefitinib had longer... (EurekAlert!)
Molecule Plays Early Role In Nonsmoking Lung Cancer Jul 29, 2009
The findings, published online recently in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may lead to improved therapy for lung cancer in both never-smokers and smokers, including those with tumors resistant to targeted drugs such as gefitinib ... Last, the investigators took cells that had a mutated EGFR gene and treated them with an anti-EGFR agent (the agent was related to gefitinib and erlotinib, targeted drugs used to treat lung cancers with EGFR mutations) ... 16, 2008) The targeted... (Science Daily)
Small Molecule Might Play Big Part in Lung Cancer Jul 21, 2009
Two recent targeted therapies for specific lung cancers follow this line of scientific thought -- gefitinib (Iressa) and erlotinib (Tarceva). To test their hypothesis that miR-21 and EGFR may make attractive targets for therapy, the researchers tested two experimental compounds: an antisense molecule designed to bind to the RNA and essentially turn it off; and a compound called AG1478, which targets the cell's EGFR and tyrosine kinase pathway. (MEDLINEplus)
Less-toxic Drug Prolongs Survival In Metastatic Breast Cancer May 28, 2009
(May 19, 2008) Gefitinib, the once-promising drug formerly approved as a second line treatment for lung cancer, also known as Iressa, enhanced the effectiveness of hormonal therapy for the treatment of specific. . (Science Daily)
'Happy Hour' Gene Discovery Suggests Cancer Drugs Might Treat Alcoholism May 26, 2009
That EGF pathway is best known for its role in cancer, and drugs designed to inhibit the EGF receptor, including erlotinib (trade name Tarceva) and gefitinib (trade name Iressa), are FDA-approved for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer ... "This is a very powerful example of how simple model organisms -- and the little fruit fly in particular -- can be used to move quickly from an unknown gene to a potential therapy for drug addiction," said Ulrike Heberlein of the University of... (Science Daily)
Gene that helps boozers off drinks May 22, 2009
The scientists also tested two medicines, erlotinib and gefitinib, on normal flies, as new treatment for alcohol abuse and found they were more likely to be knocked out by alcohol than flies that did not take the drugs. Mice that took erlotinib showed the same effects when they drank. (India Times, India)
May 14, 2009: Biodesix Announces VeriStrat(R) Data in Head and Neck Cancer to be Presented at ASCO May 15, 2009
In the study, VeriStrat was used to classify outcomes in patients with SCCHN who were treated with gefitinib (G), erlotinib and bevacizumab (E/B), cetuximab (C), or palliative chemotherapy (PC). Gefitinib, erlotinib and cetuximab are EGFRIs with activity in SCCHN. Results from the study show that among patients treated with EGFRIs, VeriStrat predicted an overall survival benefit (G: p=0. (PR Newswire)
Boehringer Ingelheim to Present New Phase II Clinical Data on Two Lead Oncology Compounds at ASCO 2009 May 15, 2009
"It is well documented that 'activating' mutations that arise in the tyrosine kinase (TK) domain of the EGFR gene are associated with an increased sensitivity to first generation EGFR TKIs.(6,7,8) The majority of patients who initially respond to EGFR TKIs such as gefitinib or erlotinib will eventually develop resistance, often through gaining another mutation, such as the so-called T790M resistance mutation,"(9,10) said Dr. Haehl ... e., erlotinib or gefitinib) ... "BIBW 2992 and BSC Versus... (PR Newswire)
