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ZD1839 (Gefitinib) Inhibited Pleural Mesothelioma Cell Growth
Gefitinib:
October 18, 2002 — Researchers at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston studied the effects of ZD1839 (Gefitinib, Iressa®) on pleural mesothelioma cells (Cancer Res, Sept 15, 2002; 62(18): 5242–7). Currently used in clinical trials of patients with non–small cell lung cancer, ZD1839 blocks molecular signals that cause cancer cell growth. It works by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosine kinase and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a protein involved in cell division and differentiation.
The experiment involved cell lines taken from mesothelioma patients with three different types of pleural mesothelioma—sarcomatoid (effects closely packed cells from connective tissue), epithelial (effects cells from the outer mucous or skin–like covering), and biphasic (effects a combination of both sarcomatoid and epithelial cells). EGFR levels were high in mesothelioma cells, at a level comparable to those in non–small cell lung cancer cells. ZD1839 inhibited the EGFR functioning in all pleural mesothelioma cell lines. It also led to a dose–dependent reduction in cell growth, although the rates differed among the mesothelioma cell types.
The researchers found that ZD1839 was as effective in inhibiting mesothelioma cell lines as it was against non–small cell lung cancer cell lines. They concluded that ZD1839 shows promise as a treatment for patients with pleural mesothelioma and recommended more studies on this EGFR inhibitor.
A month after publication of this study, the manufacturer of ZD1839 or Gefitinib reported that some Japanese patients taking the drug developed interstitial pneumonia. See Anticancer Drug Gefitinib Caused Deaths in Japan for details.
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