title: Dramatic response to low-dose erlotinib of epidermal growth factor receptor mutation-positive recurrent non-small cell lung cancer after severe cutaneous toxicity.
abstract: Erlotinib is increasingly being used for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. The recommended dose is 150 mg/day and no efficacy data is available for lower doses. We describe a case of dramatic tumor response to 50 mg erlotinib in a patient with EGFR mutation positive NSCLC who developed a severe rash on full dose erlotinib. Rash is known to correlate with response and survival in patients treated with erlotinib. Our case suggests that in the presence of rash, dose reductions to "subtherapeutic" levels remain effective and may prevent unnecessary early treatment termination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Diseases, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joline S W
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Pieter E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Postmus
authors.forename: Daniëlle A M
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Heideman
authors.forename: Erik B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Thunnissen
authors.forename: Otto
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bekers
authors.forename: Egbert F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Smit
mesh_terms: D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics*; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors