BACKGROUNDImprovement of quality of life (QoL) is an important endpoint for assessment of treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study is to report the changes of QoL before and during the treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, gefitinib, for patients with advanced NSCLC.

METHODSThirty-one eligible patients with NSCLC, who participated in gefitinib compassionate-use program, were enrolled in the study. One oral gefitinib tablet (250mg) was administered every day without interruption unless disease progression or unacceptable toxicity occurred. The impact of treatment on disease-related symptoms and QoL was evaluated with the Chinese versions of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-LC13).

RESULTSAfter eight weeks of treatment, the mean scores of four functioning scales (physical, role, emotional and social) and global QoL increased significantly. Mean scores of main general symptoms (fatigue and appetite loss) and disease-related symptoms (dyspnoea, coughing, pain in chest, pain in arm and shoulder and pain in other parts) decreased significantly. Response rate of five functioning and global QoL were all more than 50% after gefitinib treatment. Response rate of main general symptoms and disease-related symptoms varied from 44%-84%. QoL and symptom response correlated with objective tumor response.

CONCLUSIONSGefitinib treatment can improve the QoL and symptoms of advanced NSCLC patients who failed to conventional treatments.