Clinical observation of icotinib in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases

Objective:To analyze of the efficacy and safety of icotinib in the treatment of brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Methods:The clinical data of 26 NSCLC patients with brain metastases treated with icotinib were reviewed retrospectively.All patients were treated with icotinib (125 mg,3 times a day) until disease progression,death or unacceptable toxicities.Results:In terms of intracranial lesions,the objective response rate(ORR) and disease control rate(DCR) were 7.7% and 84.6%.As for systemic disease,ORR and DCR were 11.5% and 76.9%,respectively.Total DCR was not related to age,sex,smoking status,pathological type,PS score,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mutation,the timing of icotinib treatment,the number of brain metastases (single or multiple) and brain radiotherapy and chemotherapy or not(P>0.05).The median progression-free survival(PFS) and median overall survival(OS) were 4 months (95%CI 2.4-5.6 months) and 8.3 months(95%CI 4.9-11.7 months),respectively.PFS was related to PS score and the mutation of EGFR in patients (P<0.01 and P<0.05)).OS was related to age,PS score,pathological type,EGFR status,and chemotherapy(P<0.05 to P<0.01).The side effects were tolerable,which were mainly mild rash and diarrhea.Conclusions:Icotinib may be effective on brain metastasis in NSCLC patients,and the toxicities are tolerable,which can be used as new treatment option for NSCLC patients with brain metastases.