The theoretical foundation and research progress for erlotinib combined with whole brain radiotherapy for the treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases / 国际肿瘤学杂志

ABSTRACT

The prognosis of patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cance (NSCLC) is dismal,and whole brain radiation therapy(WBRT) cannot simultaneously control the extracranial lesions.Study results of Tyrosine kinase inhibitor(TKI) for brain metastases in patients with lung cancer are encouraging,and treatment efficacy is related to EGFR mutation status.The sensitizing theoretical foundation exists in utilizing erlotinib combined with WBRT for the treatment in brain metastases patients with lung cancer.Currently,a small clinical trial data shows that erlotinib combined with WBRT has better efficacy compared to erlotinib alone,and the toxicity can be tolerated.