Erlotinib in the treatment of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer – current possibilities of its use, experience in the Czech Republic

02/2018

MUDr. Markéta Černovská

Pneumologická klinika 1. LF UK, Thomayerova nemocnice, Praha

SUMMARY

Target therapy is a subcellular approach to the treatment of cancer. It is targeted on the intracellular mechanisms of signal transduction inhibiting. This treatment targets the natural regulatory mechanisms controlling metabolism, proliferation and migration of cancer cells. The most data are available on the epidermal growth factor receptor as a target for antitumor strategies. Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor has become an important target in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Erlotinib is small molecular agents that target the tyrosine kinase domain of the epidermal growth factor receptor. It is indicated for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer as a first, second- or third-line regimen alone or combined with bevacizumab as first-line therapy for advanced epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer.

KEY WORDS

erlotinib, non-small cell lung cancer, epidermal growth factor receptor, target therapy