Generalized xerotic dermatitis with neutrophilic spongiosis induced by erlotinib (Tarceva).
Erlotinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is used as an anticancer agent. Most patients develop a pustular facial dermatitis within the first week of treatment. Pyogenic granulomas of the nail folds are another typical adverse event occurring in about 10-15% of cases. We report on a patient who developed a generalized dermatitis characterized by neutrophilic spongiosis. Neutrophilic inflammation has been observed in several drugs that interfere with EGFR signaling, suggesting a class effect. The present case may be yet another manifestation of this particular reaction pattern.
Lübbe
J
J
Service de dermatologie et vénéréologie, Hôpital cantonal universitaire, Geneva, Switzerland. jann.lubbe@hcuge.ch
Masouyé
I
I
Dietrich
P Y
PY
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009504:Neutrophils; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D066246:ErbB Receptors