A Phase III, Randomized, Double Blind, Multicenter Trial of Tarceva (Erlotinib) Plus Chemotherapy (Carboplatin and Paclitaxel) Versus Chemotherapy Alone in Patients With Advanced (Stage IIIb or IV) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Who Have Not Received Prior Chemotherapy
Inclusion Criteria:
- Signed informed consent
- Age >=18 years
- Histologically documented, unresectable, inoperable, locally advanced, recurrent or
metastatic Stage IIIB or Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
- A cytologic diagnosis is acceptable (i.e., FNA or pleural fluid cytology)
- Measurable or non-measurable disease
- ECOG performance status of 0 or 1
- Life expectancy of >=3 months
- >= 3 weeks since any prior surgery or radiotherapy (>=2 weeks for patients who
receive <=30 Gy of radiotherapy involving <25% of the marrow reserve)
- Use of an effective means of contraception (women of childbearing potential)
- Able to comply with study and follow-up procedures
Exclusion Criteria:
- Evidence of small cell, carcinoid, or mixed small cell/non-small cell histology
- Malignancies within 3 years except for adequately treated carcinoma in situ of the
cervix or basal or squamous cell skin cancer
- Symptomatic or untreated brain metastases
- Prior systemic chemotherapy for NSCLC
- Prior exposure to agents directed at the HER axis (e.g., ZD1839 [Iressa], C225
[Cetuximab], Trastuzumab [Herceptin])
- Unstable systemic disease, including active infection, uncontrolled hypertension,
unstable angina, congestive heart failure, or myocardial infarction within 6 months
prior to Day 1, or serious cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication (patients with
chronic atrial arrhythmia, i.e., atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular
tachycardia, are eligible)
- History of other diseases, metabolic dysfunction, physical examination finding, or
clinical laboratory finding giving reasonable suspicion of a disease or condition
that contraindicates the use of an investigational drug or that might affect the
interpretation of the results of the study or render the patient at high risk from
treatment complications
- Gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication or a
requirement for intravenous (IV) alimentation, or prior surgical procedures affecting
absorption
- Pregnancy or lactation
Any of the following abnormal baseline hematologic values:
- Granulocytes count <=1500/uL
- Platelet count <100,000/uL
Any of the following abnormal baseline liver function tests:
- Serum bilirubin >1.5× upper limit of normal (ULN)
- Serum ALT and AST >=2.5× ULN (>5× ULN if due to liver metastases)
- Alkaline phosphatase >=2.5× ULN
Other baseline laboratory values:
- Serum creatinine >1.5× ULN or creatinine clearance <60 mL/min
- Uncontrolled hypercalcemia (>11.5 mg/dL)