high dose gefitinib for the treatment of carcinomatous meningitis in adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer and known or suspected egfr mutations

Conditions: Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Summary: the primary purposes of this study are to find out if using high doses of the drug gefitinib (iressa) as a way to treat patients with non-small cell lung cancer that has spread to the covering of the brain and/or spinal cord (meninges) results in any bad side effects; and to determine the highest dose that can be given to patients in this setting.

* the standard therapy for this type of cancer is to give chemotherapy directly into the spinal fluid, usually by a spinal tap. some chemotherapy may, in some cases, be combined with radiation. this study looks at a different way of treating this type of cancer. * this study is specifically for patients whose lung cancer has changes in a protein called the epidermal growth factor receptor (egfr). the study drug, gefitinib, was developed to stop the signals from the egfr that tell certain types of lung cancers tumors to grow. by using higher doses than are normally used, we hope to increase the amount of drug in the spinal fluid to attempt to kill the cancer cells around the spinal cord and brain. * since we are looking for the highest dose of gefitinib that can be given safely, not everyone who participates in this study will be receiving the same amount of drug. * patients will start taking gefitinib daily by mouth on day 1 and will continue taking this medication daily at home. on the first day the patient takes gefitinib and on day 14 of each treatment cycle (1 cycle equals 28 days), the patient will undergo: physical examination by the study doctor and a detailed neurological exam by a neuro-oncologist; sampling of cerebrospinal fluid (csf) by lumbar puncture; review of current medications; measurement of vital signs; check on the patients ability to perform daily activities; blood work. * if the patient is tolerating the study medication well, then the patient will receive a lower dose for days 15-28 of the cycle. * at the end of each cycle on day 28, the patient will meet with the study doctor and have the following: a physical examination; review of current medications; measurement of vital signs, check on the patients ability to perform daily activities; blood tests; mri of the brain and spinal cord to assess tumor response; every two cycles a ct scan of the chest and abdomen to assess the tumor response.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * histologically or cytologically proven diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer of any histologic subtype * high likelihood of gefitinib sensitivity, as evidenced by one or more of the following: previous complete or partial response to treatment with an epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, erlotinib, or gefitinib; known somatic mutation of the egfr tyrosine kinase * recurrent or persistent disease as manifested by carcinomatous meningitis * ecog ps 0-3 * age 18 years or older * greater than 2 weeks since prior radiation therapy * greater than 3 weeks since prior major surgery * adequate hematologic, renal, and/or hepatic function * coagulation parameters: international normalized ratio(inr)less than or equal to 1.5 and an activated thromboplastin time \< 50 seconds exclusion criteria: * previous grade 4 toxicity on gefitinib or erlotinib leading to dose reduction or interruption * uncontrolled brain metastases, or brain metastases associated with mass effect that would contraindicate lumbar puncture * any other malignancy within the past five years, except for adequately treated carcinoma of the cervix, basal or squamous cell carcinomas of the skin * dysphagia * active gastrointestinal disease or disorder that alters gastrointestinal motility or absorption * incomplete healing from previous oncologic or other major surgery * any pre-existing severe or unstable medical condition * any condition requiring concurrent and ongoing use of anticoagulation * inability to undergo collection of csf, either by repeated lumbar puncture or placement of an omaya reservoir * pregnant or breastfeeding * concurrent intrathecal drug administration or radiotherapy * concurrent systemic chemotherapy or investigational agent * anticoagulant except aspirin or heparin flushes * enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drug * cyp3a4 inhibitors

Keywords: epidermal growth factor egfr lung cancer iressa gefitinib