Liver function a concern for lung cancer patients taking Tarceva

From CBC News:
Drug company Hoffman-La Roche is telling doctors prescribing Tarceva to lung cancer patients to closely monitor the liver function of those who recently have taken or who are taking the drug.

The drug Tarceva (erlotinib) is used to treat patients with non-small-cell lung cancer at an advanced stage when chemotherapy has not helped to stop the disease.

The letter issued by Hoffman-La Roche says a study of patients with advanced cancer and moderate liver impairment found that a higher number of patients died during treatment or within 30 days of the last dose, compared to patients with normal liver function. ...more