Gefitinib and erlotinib: Same or different tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs)?

14662 Background: The survival benefit of TKIs in advanced non small lung cancer (NSCLC) is modest and gefitinib and erlotinib are usually considered drugs with similar efficacy. Methods: We performed a pooled analysis in order to assess the efficacy of these drugs alone or in combination.An electronic search focused on randomized controlled trials assessing efficacy or activity of TKIs alone or associated with chemotherapy in NSCLC was performed. A pooled analysis was accomplished and Hazard Ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval was derived. Results: Only six papers were considered for analysis. Overall, there was a 3% (HR: 0.97, 95% CI 0.91–1.03) mortality reduction and a 10% reduction in event rate (HR: 0.90, 95%CI 0.85–0.95). Results differed when analysing II line therapies vs. I line therapies, in which TKI was added to chemotherapy. In first line chemotherapy there was a consistent lack of effect, while in II line there was a 18% reduction in mortality (HR: 0.82, 95%CI 0.73–0.92) and a 24% reduct...