Persisting corneal erosion under cetuximab (Erbitux) treatment (epidermal growth factor receptor antibody).
OBJECTIVE
To report persisting corneal erosion and trichomegaly as ocular side effects of cetuximab (Erbitux) treatment, a monoclonal antibody against the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor.


METHODS
A 62-year-old patient was treated with combined chemotherapy including cetuximab for colorectal carcinoma and showed accelerated growth of eyelashes with persistent bilateral corneal erosions resistant to conservative treatment. Topical EGF was successfully applied as an experimental treatment to antagonize the inhibitory effect of the EGF receptor antibody.


RESULTS
Topical application of EGF led to rapid improvement, with complete healing of the epithelial defect after 7 (left eye) and 19 days (right eye) while application of cetuximab was continued.


CONCLUSIONS
Cetuximab (Erbitux) can cause impairment of corneal wound healing as an ocular side effect. Patients concerned may benefit from application of EGF eyedrops.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany. foerstercg@web.de
Claudia G
CG
Foerster
Claus
C
Cursiefen
Friedrich E
FE
Kruse
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D005140:Eyelashes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013160:Splenic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000556:secondary; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab