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Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Case report

Erlotinib-induced complete response in a patient with epidermal growth factor receptor wild-type lung adenocarcinoma after chemotherapy failure: a case report

Authors: Maria Giuseppa Vitale, Ferdinando Riccardi, Carmela Mocerino, Carmela Barbato, Roberto Monaco, Paola Galloro, Nicola Gagliardi, Giacomo Cartenì

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Introduction

The efficacy of erlotinib in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer has been demonstrated in several trials, but only two cases of complete and prolonged response in wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor locally advanced lung cancer have been published.

Case presentation

We discuss a case of a 67-year-old Caucasian man, a former heavy cigarette smoker, with a diagnosis of wild-type epidermal growth factor receptor locally advanced adenocarcinoma. After platinum-based doublet chemotherapy, when a progression of disease had occurred, a second-line therapy with erlotinib was started. We observed a progressive reduction of his lung lesion during erlotinib treatment until there was a complete clinical response.

Conclusions

This case is interesting for the choice of second-line treatment in non-small-cell lung cancer and, moreover, for the possibility of a complete and prolonged response to erlotinib even in patients without the activating mutation of epidermal growth factor receptor.
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Metadata
Title
Erlotinib-induced complete response in a patient with epidermal growth factor receptor wild-type lung adenocarcinoma after chemotherapy failure: a case report
Authors
Maria Giuseppa Vitale
Ferdinando Riccardi
Carmela Mocerino
Carmela Barbato
Roberto Monaco
Paola Galloro
Nicola Gagliardi
Giacomo Cartenì
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-8-102

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