Does Erlotinib need to be used in combination with other drugs?

Erlotinib (Erlotinib) is commonly used as monotherapy, specifically to treat patients with EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, sometimes in specific situations, doctors may consider combining erlotinib with other medications to achieve better results. The following are some situations that may require combined use:

1.Combined targeted therapy: In some cases, doctors may consider combining erlotinib with other targeted therapies to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment. For example, erlotinib is sometimes combined with an anti-angiogenic drug such as bevacizumab to block the blood supply to the tumor, thereby inhibiting tumor growth.

2.Combination chemotherapy: Although erlotinib is usually used as a single agent as a targeted therapy, in some cases, doctors may consider using it in combination with chemotherapy drugs, especially when the tumor has progressed to an advanced stage or requires stronger treatment. Combination chemotherapy may enhance the effectiveness of treatment to some extent.

3.Immunotherapy combination: In some clinical trials, researchers are exploring the combination of erlotinib and immunotherapy drugs such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, in the hope of further activating the patient's immune system to attack tumor cells.

It should be noted that the combined use of drugs needs to be decided based on the patient's specific situation and the doctor's professional judgment. Doctors will develop the most appropriate treatment plan based on the patient's tumor type, molecular characteristics, disease stage and other factors. If you are being treated with erlotinib or considering treatment options, it is important to have a detailed discussion with your doctor to understand whether other medications may be necessary and the possible risks and benefits.

Erlotinib has been launched in China and has been included in medical insurance. Patients can purchase it domestically. The domestic price ranges from about 700 to 1,000. The specification is 150mg*7 tablets. Due to different medical insurance policies in different places, the price is also different. Please consult the local pharmacy or medical insurance bureau for details. Erlotinib abroad is mainly an Indian generic drug, the price is about 900 yuan, and the specifications are divided into 100mg*30 tablets and150mg*30 tablets, which is about four times the domestic specification, but the price is similar to that in China.