Erlotinib hydrochloride is designed to block the activity of an enzyme found on the surface of many tumor cells that may slow tumor growth.
In order to enroll in this study, you must also be enrolled in Protocol 2005-0823: A Biomarker-integrated study in Chemorefractory Patients with Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Protocol 2005-0823 is the screening study in a group of studies called the BATTLE program. Participants in Protocol 2005-0823 are assigned to one of the research studies. The results of your tumor analysis helped the study doctor determine to assign you to this particular research study.
While on study, you will take erlotinib hydrochloride by mouth once a day. Tablets should be taken preferably in the morning 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal with no more than 7 ounces of water. If you are unable to swallow tablets, you may dissolve the tablets in distilled water. If you forget to take a dose, the last missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember, as long as it is at least 12 hours before the next dose is due to be taken. The next day, you should take the scheduled dose at the usual time. Every attempt should be made to keep from vomiting the medication for at least 30 minutes after taking it. For example, if you feel nauseated before or after taking the erlotinib, anti-nausea medications should be used. The dose of erlotinib hydrochloride may be repeated if vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of taking the tablet. Four (4) weeks is considered 1 treatment cycle.
Every 4 weeks, your complete medical history will be recorded and you will have a physical exam, including measurement of vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, temperature, breathing rate) and weight. You will have blood drawn (about 2 teaspoons) for routine tests. You will have a performance status evaluation (questions about your ability to perform everyday activities). Your study doctor will ask you about any medications you are taking and your smoking history. Every 2 cycles, the tumor will be evaluated by chest x-ray and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to evaluate the status of the disease. If you are taking warfarin, you will have blood drawn (about 1-2 teaspoons) to check your blood clotting function weekly for the first 5 weeks of treatment and then every cycle after that.
You may continue receiving erlotinib hydrochloride for as long as the cancer responds to study treatment. Your doctor may decide to take you off this study if you experience intolerable side effects, your medical condition gets worse, or you are unable to comply with study requirements. If you stop study treatment, you may be able to enroll in 1 of the remaining 3 protocols of the BATTLE program. You should discuss this with your doctor.
After you have stopped taking the study treatment, you will have a physical exam, including measurement of vital signs. Blood (about 2 teaspoons) and urine will be collected for routine tests. You will also have blood drawn (about 1-2 teaspoons) to check your blood clotting function. You will have a performance status evaluation, a chest x-ray, and a CT or MRI scan. Following this evaluation, you will be contacted by telephone every 3 months for up to 3 years, to see how you are doing.
You have the right to leave the study at any time. If you choose to stop participating in this study, you should contact the study chair and/or research nurse. Your doctor may decide to take you off this study if your medical condition gets worse and/or you are unable to comply with study requirements.
This is an investigational study. Erlotinib hydrochloride is approved by the FDA for treatment of NSCLC in patients who have relapsed. Up to 72 patients will take part in this study. All will be enrolled at M. D. Anderson.
