COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF GEFITINIB AND ERLOTINIB THERAPY IN SUBJECTS WITH NON-SMALL CELL LUNG CARCINOMA

Abstract

Background: In subjects with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are assessed 
targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). First-generation epidermal growth factor receptor- tyrosine kinase 
(EGFR-TKIs) used in subjects with NSCLC are gefitinib and erlotinib. 
Aims: The present study was conducted to comparatively assess the efficacy and safety of gefitinib and erlotinib in 
subjects with non-small cell lung carcinoma.  
Methods: The study included a total of 70 subjects having NSCLC who received gefitinib and erlotinib. In the present 
study, 36 subjects received erlotinib, and 34 subjects gefitinib. Adverse drug reactions were noted for both the drugs and 
were graded based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grading system. Progression-free survival 
(PFS) and response evaluation criteria in solid tumors were measured to assess the effectiveness of the drugs.     
Results: Mucositis was seen in 32.35% (n=11) subjects with gefitinib and 58.33% (n=21) subjects using erlotinib. In 
gefitinib group, diarrhea, nail brittleness, Nail pigmentation, koilonychia, paronychia, alopecia, rash, dryness, itching, and 
acneiform eruptions were seen in 26.47% (n=9), 17.64% (n=6), 23.52% (n=8), 8.82% (n=3), 23.52% (n=8), 35.29% 
(n=12), 26.47% (n=9), 44.11% (n=15), 61.76% (n=21), and 23.52% (n=8) study subjects respectively. In erlotinib group, 
diarrhea, nail brittleness, Nail pigmentation, koilonychia, paronychia, alopecia, rash, dryness, itching, and acneiform 
eruptions were seen in 22.22% (n=8), 11.11% (n=4), 27.7% (n=10), 8.33% (n=3), 25% (n=9), 11.1% (n=4), 58.3% 
(n=21), and 41.66% (n=15) study subjects (Table 3). For the response to the drug therapy, statistically significant 
difference was seen from initial drug response to follow-up drug response for gefitinib, erlotinib, and total EGFR therapy 
in the study subjects with p<0.001 
Conclusions: The present study concludes that gefitinib and erlotinib have similar efficacy, whereas, a better safety 
profile is seen with gefitinib compared to erlotinib. Hence, a better treatment modality for subjects with non-small cell 
lung carcinoma is gefitinib compared to erlotinib.