Method for treating gefitinib resistant cancer
The present invention is directed to methods for the treatment of gefitinib and/or erlotinib resistant cancer. An individual with cancer is monitored for cancer progression following treatment with gefitinib and/or erlotinib. Progression of the cancer is indicative that the cancer is resistant to gefitinib and/or erlotinib. Once progression of cancer is noted, the subject is administered a pharmaceutical composition comprising an irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor. In preferred embodiments, the irreversible EGFR inhibitor is EKB-569, HKI-272 and HKI-357.
1. A method for treating gefitinib and/or erlotinib resistant non-small cell lung cancer in a patient in need thereof, comprising administering daily to the patient having gefitinib and/or erlotinib resistant non-small cell lung cancer a pharmaceutical composition comprising a unit dosage of an irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor that covalently binds to cysteine 773 residue in the ligand-binding pocket of EGFR or cysteine 805 residue in the ligand-binding pocket of erb-B2.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irreversible EGFR inhibitor is EKB-569 or HKI-357.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irreversible EGFR inhibitor covalently binds to cysteine 773 residue of EGFR.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the irreversible EGFR inhibitor covalently binds to cysteine 805 residue of erb-B2.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering at least one other tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises administering radiation.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the route of administering is intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intradermal, intraperitoneal, intrathecal, intrapleural, intrauterine, rectal, vaginal, topical, or intratumor.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the route of administering is transmucosal or transdermal.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the route of administering is oral.