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This question was answered on Wed 04, Jan 2012 03:03pm by bobby s, md

Stage IV NSCLC Lung Cancer


    
Asked by agumfr (Female; 45; Breast Cancer survivor of 18 years (surgery to remove right breast followed by radiation therapy) Smoker (1 pack/day); Relevant drugs:Cis/carboplatin + Alimta front line chemotherapy (6 rounds done) Tarceva maintenancy thearpy (just started since 3 weeks) ) on Wed 04, Jan 2012 06:53am
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Seven months ago, my wife, age 45, and a breast cancer survivor of 18 years, was diagnosed with a different cancer - Stage IV NSCLC Lung Cancer. Her first treatment was full brain irradiaiton followed by front line chemotherapy (cis/carbo-platin plus Alimta (2 rounds cis then 4 rounds carbo platin each a 1/2 day treatment followed by 21 days recovery). This treatment had a neutral effect - slight stabilization of the main tumor (slight increase from 31 mm to 36 mm detected). In addition, new secondary areas in liver and right femur were also visible in the most recent scanner done in mid December. Maintenance thearpy with Tarceva (new Roche oral chemotherapy product) started 2 weeks ago. Back in May a PCR test for the gene EGFR mutation was not detected (negative) which excluded her for using Tarceva as first line therapy. Additionally,mutation of K-Ras gene was not detected. It is my understanding that Tarceva works when EGFR mutation is positive. So, how can Tarceva given daily to her now give any effect? Is this then just a very expensive placaebo or can it work anyway? Are there other treatments / trials / research out there that she could benefit from?

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Answer by bobby s, md  on Wed 04, Jan 2012 03:03pm:

Hello,
I am sorry to hear about your wife's recent health issues.
The fact that the recent scans showed that new areas of involvement in the liver and right femur, despite stable size of primary lung lesion may indicate disease activity.
Unfortunately, stage 4 lung cancer is untreatable by current treatment methods. However, much can be done by modern chemotherapy and supportive care to improve symptoms and prolong life. The combination of platinum plus pemetrexed that she has received is indeed a standard approach.
Regarding your question about the efficacy of Tarceva (erlotinib), at this time the evidence seems to be that this EGFR blocker is effective in patients with or without EGFR mutation, although it clearly shows higher degree of benefit in patients with EGFR gene mutation. IN EGFR wild type patients (those without mutation), the benefit is very marginal. At the current time, there is no proven or very promising experimental therapy for stage 4 disease, although many targeted therapies do show incremental benefit. Please have a detailed discussion with your treating oncologist about available clinical trials in advanced lung cancer at the hospital where your wife is being treated.
All the best, and God Bless.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erlotinib
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/722133

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