METHOD FOR TREATMENT OF LUNG CANCER

摘要

[PROBLEMS] To provide a method for the treatment of lung cancer using a therapeutic agent for lung cancer comprising an erbB receptor inhibitor as an active ingredient. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A method for the examination of the responsivity to an erbB receptor inhibitor in a patient with lung cancer using amphiregulin (AREG) in the blood as a measure; and a method for the treatment of lung cancer comprising the steps of determining the responsivity to an erbB receptor inhibitor based on the blood AREG level and administering the therapeutic agent selectively to a patient who is expected to have the responsivity. A higher therapeutic effect can be expected by administering an erbB receptor inhibitor to a patient who is predicted to have the responsivity. These methods contribute to the improvement in therapeutic effect of Gefitinib (a commercial name "Iressa"(trade mark)) or the like on lung cancer.