Iressa  (gefitinib) is one of a new group of anticancer drugs called epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR-TK) inhibitors.  

Early clinical trials, which reported in 2003, suggested it was an effective drug for people with the commonest type of advanced lung cancer:  non small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).   In the light of these encouraging findings a number countries (but not Britain) granted a licence for Iressa to be prescribed for patients with advanced NSCLC.

At the end of 2004, however, a much larger trial in advanced NSCLC published its results and these showed that overall there was non increase in survival for patients who were given Iressa compared to those who were given a placebo (an inactive drug).   This information has cast doubt over the true value of the drug.

As Iressa has not actually been routinely available in the UK, most people who have received the drug in Britain have done so as part of a clinical trial.  At the present time the plan appears to be that those people with advanced non small-cell lung cancer who have been taking part in clinical trials, and who feel they have been benefiting from the drug, will be able to continue with it. 

There are also a number of trials underway looking at the role of Iressa in other types of cancer, such as tumours of the head and neck, colorectal (large bowel) cancer and breast cancer.  These studies are still continuing, as apparently negative results in one type  of cancer do not mean that a drug may not be effective against other types of tumour.

A  number of people have also received Iressa on what is known as ‘a named-patient basis’.  This means that if a doctor feels someone would benefit from a drug which is being assessed, but has not yet been approved by  the authorities for general use, they can ask the company which makes the drug to provide a supply for that particular patient.  Astra Zeneca, the company which makes Iressa, will still provide the drug on a named-patient basis if requested.

So overall, in Britain at least, very few people should be affected by the concerns over Iressa's benefits which were raised by the study reported in late 2004.