Treatment of squamous cell vulvar cancer with the anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor Tarceva.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this case report is to describe the first experience with erlotinib (Tarceva) in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer.


METHODS
Two elderly patients presented with locally advanced vulvar cancer. Surgery was not a suitable method of treatment for either of them because of multiple medical co-morbidities and stage of disease. One patient had disease progression on standard chemoradiation. Erlotinib, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was tried in both cases and dramatic responses were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Therapy targeted to EGFR may be effective in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer. This new therapeutic approach deserves further evaluation in carefully designed studies.
Olawaiye
Alexander
A
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Vincent Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruits Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA. aolawaiye@partners.org
Lee
Lisa M
LM
Krasner
Carolyn
C
Horowitz
Neil
N
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors