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Open Access 01-12-2021 | NSCLC | Research article

Feasibility and effectiveness of afatinib for poor performance status patients with EGFR-mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study

Authors: Chiao-En Wu, Ching-Fu Chang, Chen-Yang Huang, Cheng-Ta Yang, Chih-Hsi Scott Kuo, Ping-Chih Hsu, John Wen-Cheng Chang

Published in: BMC Cancer | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Afatinib is one of the standard treatments for patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, data on the use of afatinib in patients with poor performance status (PS ≥ 2) are limited. This study aimed to retrospectively review the clinical outcomes and safety of afatinib treatment in EGFR-mutation-positive (EGFRm+) NSCLC patients with PS ≥ 2.

Methods

The data for 62 patients who were treated at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital from January 2010 to August 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients’ clinicopathological features were obtained, and univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify possible prognostic factors. Data on adverse events were collected to evaluate general tolerance for afatinib therapy.

Results

Until February 2020, the objective response rate, disease control rate, median progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were 58.1% (36/62), 69.4% (43/62), 8.8 months, and 12.9 months, respectively. The absence of liver metastasis (PFS: p = 0.044; OS: p = 0.061) and good disease control (p < 0.001 for PFS and OS) were independent favorable prognostic factors for PFS and OS. Bone metastasis (p = 0.036) and dose modification (reduction/interruption, p = 0.021) were predictors of disease control.

Conclusion

Afatinib demonstrated acceptable efficacy and safety in the current cohort. This study provided evidence to support the use of afatinib as a first-line treatment in EGFRm+ NSCLC patients with poor PS.

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Title: Feasibility and effectiveness of afatinib for poor performance status patients with EGFR-mutation-positive non-small-cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Chiao-En Wu
Ching-Fu Chang
Chen-Yang Huang
Cheng-Ta Yang
Chih-Hsi Scott Kuo
Ping-Chih Hsu
John Wen-Cheng Chang
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: NSCLC
Lung Cancer
Metastasis
Lung Cancer
NSCLC
Lung Cancer
Afatinib
Published in: BMC Cancer / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2407
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-021-08587-w

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