EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment beyond progression in long-term Caucasian responders to erlotinib in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: a case-control study of overall survival.

Introduction: Some patients with advanced NSCLC show prolonged disease stabilization on treatment with an EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) such as erlotinib. It is not clear how to treat patients who progress after prolonged response to erlotinib. We hypothesized that TKI therapy beyond progression with added chemotherapy, radiotherapy or best supportive care may improve survival.

Evolutionary pharmacogenetics of CYP2D6 in Ngawbe Guaymi of Panama: allele-specific PCR detection of the CYP2D6B allele and RFLP analysis.

Gene cluster CYP2D controls the biosynthesis of enzyme CYP2D6, which is responsible for the polymorphic oxidation of sparteine, debrisoquine and related drugs. This cluster consists of the functional gene D6 and of two pseudogenes, D7 and D8. RFLP Bam HI analysis of CYP2D in 37 unrelated and eight related Ngawbe Guaymi Amerindians of Panama showed a polymorphism characterized by the presence of two alleles: 4.