Treatment Information

Back

Lung Cancer treatment details. Biologic therapy.

University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.

Survival: monthsCountry:United States
Toxiciy Grade:5City/State/Province:Iowa City, IA
Treatments:Biologic therapyHospital:University of Iowa
Drugs:Journal:Link
Date:Apr 2005

Description:

Patients: This Phase II study involved 22 patients with advanced NSCLC. Eighteen of the patients were men, and four were women. The median age was 65 years. All patients had previously received chemotherapy and had a 2+ or 3+ expression of HER-2 (a kinase that is overexpressed in some malignant tissues).

Treatment: The treatment consisted of a monoclonal antibody to HER-2, trastuzumab.

Toxicities: One patient with pneumonitis "suffered a likely treatment-related death." Other toxicities included fatigue, decreased cardiac function, hyponatremia, constipation, muscle weakness, rigors, and hallucinations.

Results: The median overall survival was 5.3 months. The study was discontinued prematurely because of a lack of a response to treatment and the observed patient toxicities. The authors conclude, "Trastuzumab cannot be recommended at the standard dose and schedule used for patients with breast carcinoma in patients with NSCLC."

Correspondence: Gerald Clamon, MD





Back