A phase II trial of erlotinib monotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer as a first- or second-line agent

Abstract

Introduction

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma carries a grim prognosis. In 2007, gemcitabine with erlotinib emerged as an appropriate treatment option for patients with advanced inoperable or metastatic disease (APC). In this phase II trial we sought to evaluate the efficacy of erlotinib monotherapy in patients with APC who had disease refractory to or ineligibility for gemcitabine-based therapy.

Methods

Eligible patients who had received 0 or 1 non-EGFR inhibitor containing gemcitabine-based chemotherapy for APC were recruited prospectively and treated with erlotinib 150 mg orally daily until unacceptable toxicity or disease progression. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Correlations of clinical response with smoking, rash, steady-state concentration of erlotinib and its metabolite (OSI-420) as well as the nicotine metabolite cotinine were performed.

Results

The trial was terminated early for futility. Eighteen of the 34 planned subjects were recruited. Median PFS and OS were 42 and 95 days, respectively. Best response was stable disease (21%). There was a trend for improved PFS and OS in never smokers compared to current and past smokers (128.5, 39, 42 days and 173, 100, 88 days, respectively). Past/current smokers had lower steady-state concentrations of erlotinib and OSI-420 compared to never smokers. There was evidence of recent smoking exposure in 30% of patients self-identified as past smokers. Rash was infrequent, with no cases of grade III/IV rash and it was not related to treatment outcomes.

Conclusions

Overall, erlotinib monotherapy failed to improve outcomes compared to historical controls in patients with APC after 0–1 prior systemic therapies. There was a trend for improved PFS and OS in never smokers.

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