Abstract: Objective To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of erlotinib in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Thirty-two patients with NSCLC failed prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy were applied.Prior to erlotinib therapy,26 patients were in stage Ⅳ,6 patients in stage ⅢB.Erlotinib was administered orally at 150 mg,once a day until cancer progressed or severe toxicity occured. Results Among the 32 patients,1 patient got complete response (CR),9 partial response (PR),13 stable disease(SD),and 9 progression disease(PD).The total response rate was 31.3% and disease control rate including both tumor response and stable disease was 71.9 %.The median survival time was 7.8 months.The l year survival rate was 45.3%.The main toxicity of erlotinib was skin toxicity (rash) and diarrha with no need for further treatment. Conclusion Erlotinib is effective and tolerable for the patients with NSCLC who failed prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy.