First-Line EGFR-TKIs Treatment in Stage I Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients Harboring EGFR Gene Mutations with Postoperative Intrapulmonary Recurrence

BACKGROUND: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) is an effective treatment for advanced lung cancer harboring EGFR gene mutations, and has improved progression-free survival in several clinical trials. METHODS: We investigated 30 stage I non-small-cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR gene mutations with postoperative intrapulmonary recurrence. Progression-free survival and response rate were analyzed. RESULTS: Partial response was achieved in 23 patients and stable disease was found in 7 patients. The objective response rate was 76.7% and disease control rate was 100%. The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 24.5 months. The median PFS in patients with only intrapulmonary recurrence was significantly superior to patients with both intrapulmonary recurrence and metastasis (32.0 months vs 14.0 months, P = 0.003). The median PFS observed in patients who underwent icotinib treatment was significantly longer than in patients who underwent gefitinib treatment (30.5 months vs 12.0 months, p = 0.005). There were no statistical differences in median PFS between patients with tumors harboring exon 21 mutation and exon 19 deletion, age <65 and ≥65, male and female, smoker and non-smoker. CONCLUSION: Our result reveals that first-line EGFR-TKIs treatment for stage I non-small-cell lung cancer patients harboring EGFR gene mutations with postoperative intrapulmonary recurrence is effective and could be a useful option in practical setting.