Predictive Factors for Outcome in a Phase II Study of Gefitinib in Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Esophageal Cancer Patients

Abstract

Gefitinib has a modest activity in second-line treatment of advanced esophageal cancer. However, the patient outcome was significantly better in female patients and in patients demonstrating high EGFR expression or SCC histology. The selection of esophageal cancer patients for future studies with EGFR-TKIs based on the level of EGFR expression in their tumors or SCC histology should be considered.