Impact of erlotinib activity on overall survival in non small cell lung cancer patients: Is the post progression survival a new paradigm?

e19086 Background: In the last few years, the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been dramatically changed with the introduction of EGFR TK (Epidermal Growth Factor Tyrosine Kinase) inhibitors. Given its objectivity and the benefits derived by patients, overall survival (OS) has been historically considered the most important therapeutic objective in advanced NSCLC. However, little is known about postprogression survival (PPS) in NSCLC. This study evaluates the correlation between response to erlotinib and post progression survival (i.e. the time between disease progression and death) to estimate the impact of this drug on overall survival. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 68 NSCLC unselected patients consecutively treated with second or third line erlotinib at our institution from 2007 to 2010, including in the responder group patients who progressed after stable disease on erlotinib for at least six months (n=20). The relationship between OS and PPS was evaluated by standard statist...