UFUR (Tegafur/Uracil) Plus Iressa in Non-small-cell Lung Cancer

Iressa is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI). It is an orally active agent for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in those who have failed a previous platinum-based regimen and taxane treatment. UFUR (Tegafur/Uracil) is effective agent against chemo-naïve NSCLC. It has anti-angiogenesis effect when used as long-term low dose treatment.

Present phase II randomized clinical trial is designed to answer whether or not adding an oral anti-angiogenesis agent (UFUR), that has low toxicity profiles when long term use, to EGFR-TKI (Iressa) could increase patients survival and response rate.

Inclusion criteria

• Histologic or cytological diagnosis of NSCLC who failed previous platinum-based and taxanes chemotherapy.
• No prior radiotherapy on measurable lesion(s).
• Performance status of 0 to 3 on the Zubrod scale. (Reference 1)
• Clinically measurable disease, defined as bidimensionally measurable lesions with clearly defined margins on x-ray, scan, or physical examination. Lesions serving as measurable disease must be at least 1 cm by 1 cm, as defined by CT scan, MRI, or chest x-ray.
• Informed consent from patient.
• Males or females 18 years of age or older.
• If female: childbearing potential either terminated by surgery, radiation, or menopause, or attenuated by use of an approved contraceptive method (intrauterine contraceptive device [IUD], birth control pills, or barrier device) during and for three months after trial.

Exclusion criteria

• Active infection (at the discretion of the investigator).
• Inadequate liver function (total bilirubin >1.5 times above normal range); alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) greater than 5 times normal.
• Inadequate renal function (creatinine >2.0 mg/dL).
• Breast feeding.
• Second primary malignancy (except in situ carcinoma of the cervix or adequately treated basal cell carcinoma of the skin)
• Concomitant myelosuppressive radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or immunotherapy will not be allowed except as for palliative radiation to non-measurable lesion.