Abstract:
Of all cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed and deadliest. With a dismissal survival rate even in the early stages of disease, investigations of adjuvant therapy have not had much impact until the 21st century. Starting in 2004, several randomized trials have shown significant improvements in survival treating patients with stage Ⅱand Ⅲ disease. Adjuvant chemotherapy remains controversial in patients with stage ⅠB disease, in which most trials have not demonstrated a survival advantage. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major target therapy. The EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, Gefitinib (Iressa) and Erlotinib (Tarceva), are two prospective agents towards NSCLC.