Gefitinib Plus Paclitaxel after Failure of Gefitinib in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer Initially Responding to Gefitinib

Background: New therapeutic modalities are needed for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients whose tumors have become resistant to gefitinib. Patients and Methods: Between 2005 and 2008, 16 NSCLC patients, who had been previously treated with gefitinib and evaluated as partial response or complete response according to the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST), received gefitinib plus paclitaxel. Paclitaxel was administered at 60 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks, and gefitinib was administered at 250 mg/day from the first day of administration of paclitaxel. Results: The response rate and disease control rate were 13% and 75%, respectively. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival were 4.3 months and 8.1 months, respectively. The toxicities were mild, and there were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: Gefitinib plus paclitaxel after failure of gefitinib exhibits activity and acceptable toxicity.