Prospective Assessment of Discontinuation and Reinitiation of Erlotinib or Gefitinib in Patients with Acquired Resistance to Erlotinib or Gefitinib Followed by the Addition of Everolimus

Abstract

In patients who develop acquired resistance, stopping erlotinib or gefitinib results in symptomatic progression, increase in SUV(max), and increase in tumor size. Symptoms improve and SUV(max) decreases after restarting erlotinib or gefitinib, suggesting that some tumor cells remain sensitive to epidermal growth factor receptor blockade. No responses were observed with combined everolimus and erlotinib or gefitinib. We recommend a randomized trial to assess the value of continuing erlotinib or gefitinib after development of acquired resistance.