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Research progress on criteria for discontinuation of EGFR inhibitor therapy

Authors Zhuang H, yuan Z, Wang, Wang P, Zhao L, Zhang B

Received 19 July 2012

Accepted for publication 28 August 2012

Published 15 October 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 263—270

DOI https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S36103

Checked for plagiarism Yes

Review by Single anonymous peer review

Peer reviewer comments 2



Hong-qing Zhuang, Zhi-yong Yuan, Jun Wang, Ping Wang, Lu-jun Zhao, Bai-lin Zhang

Department of Radiotherapy, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Lung Cancer Center, Tianjin, People's Republic of China

Abstract: The clinical success of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) as therapeutic agents has prompted great interest in their further development and clinical testing for a wide variety of malignancies. However, most studies have focused on the efficacy of TKI, and few studies have been done on the criteria for their discontinuation. The current standard for drug discontinuation is “until progression”, based on change in tumor size. However, tumor size is not related to the gene expression which determines the efficacy of TKI in the final analysis, and it is also difficult to make a thorough and correct prediction based on tumor size when the TKI is discontinued. Nevertheless, clinical evaluation of the criteria for TKI discontinuation is still in its early days. Some promising findings have started to emerge. With the improving knowledge of EGFR and its inhibitors, it is expected that the criteria for discontinuation of EGFR inhibitor therapy will become clearer.

Keywords: epidermal growth factor receptor, drug discontinuation, acquired drug-resistance

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