A retrospective study of gefitinib effective cases in non-small cell lung cancer patients with poor performance status

8177 Purpose: Recent preliminary data in Japan indicate the usefulness of gefitinib to advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients. We investigated those Gefitinib effective examples in non-small cell lung cancer patients with poor performance status (3 or 4). Methods: It was aimed at the patient by whom written informed consent about gefitinib use was obtained among those to whom we judged gefitinib use to be suitable. Results: From July 2002 to December 2003, 53 patients treated with gefitinib 250mg/day. Therapy was continued until disease progression in the absence of significant toxicity. There were 38 men and 15 women, ages ranged from 49–89 years. Performance status (PS) was 0/1/2/3/4 in 6/17/12/14/4. 11 men and seven women were PS3 or 4. The main side effects were skin rash, nausea and diarrhea. Drug induced pneumonia was observed in one case. Bone marrow toxicity was not seen. Improvement of DIC was observed in two cases. Regression of brain metastases was observed in one case. Five cases were confirmed that body fluid collection was decreased significantly. Conclusion: Gefitinib can be prescribed for the patient also in a case with poor performance status comparatively safely, and is useful to condition relief. No significant financial relationships to disclose.