The development of small-molecule inhibitors of the epidermalgrowth factor receptor (EGFR), such as erlotinib and gefitinib,for the treatment of advanced nonsmall-cell lung cancerillustrates a pattern of initial overly enthusiastic interest,subsequent critical disappointment, and eventual renewed appreciationof the clinical and mechanistic complexities surrounding theintroduction of a new therapy for cancer. Such a pattern hasbeen regrettably common in the history of oncologic therapeutics.
The initial safety and efficacy studies of erlotinib and gefitinibevoked a remarkable degree of optimism that was based on prolongedremissions and, in some cases, dramatic improvements in thequality of . . . [Full Text of this Article]
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From the Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.
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