Factors associated with effectiveness of and rash occurrence by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in patients with non-small cell lung cancer

비소세포폐암 환자에 있어서 Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors의 약효 및 rash 발생과 관련한 인자에 대한 연구

Purpose: Currently lung cancer ranks second in cancer for incidence rate and is a disease that ranks first for a death rate by cancerous growth because it is already advanced at the time of diagnosis. The purpose of this paper was to analyze the factors that affect the effectiveness of and rash occurrence by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (EGFR TKI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 100 patients, who took EGFR TKI (erlotinib, gefitinib) among patients who were diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in a Hospital in Korea between May 2005 and February 2008, was conducted. The drug effectiveness was evaluated by Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumor. Results: EGFR mutation was the only factor associated with drug response (complete response and partial response). When stable disease was added to drug response as the evaluation parameter, ECOG and rash as well as EGFR mutation were found to be important factors. Survival, however, was not affected by EGFR mutation. The factors influenced on survival were older age (${\geq}65$), low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$), adenocarcinoma and rash. In the case of rash, group with EGFR mutation or low ECOG showed significantly higher chance of occurrence. There was no significant difference in rash occurrence between gefitinib and erlotinib groups. Conclusions: Based on the results, EGFR mutation positive and low ECOG ($1{\sim}2$) were significantly important factors for both effectiveness of EGFR TKI and rash occurrence. Also, rash itself was found to be an independently significant factor for the disease control and survival. Therefore, while administering EGFR TKI, patients who have the factors associated with rash occurrence should be closely monitored for effective and safe drug therapy.