Serious hematologic complications following erlotinib treatment.
BACKGROUND
Erlotinib is an oral, small-molecule targeting therapy which inhibits epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase receptors. Erlotinib has been administered for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.


METHODS
In the present report, unusual hematologic complications were detected after erlotinib was administered as second-line monotherapy in pretreated patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Four patients pre-treated with cisplatin or its analog-based combinations, were evaluated. Erlotinib was given at a dose of 150 mg daily. In cases of intolerable adverse reactions, the dose was either reduced to 100 mg daily or treatment was interrupted for a maximum of two weeks.


RESULTS
Serious hematologic toxicity (or complications) developed in these 4 patients after 4-8.5 months of treatment. Two patients developed leukemias (AML, CML) and two, myelodysplastic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
Whether or not these hematologic complications were related to erlotinib treatment is comprehensively discussed.
Stathopoulos
G P
GP
Semitelou 2A, 115 28 Athens, Greece. dr-gps@ath.forthnet.gr
Trafalis
Dim
D
Athanasiou
A
A
Bardi
G
G
Chandrinou
H
H
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D005260:Female; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011799:Quinazolines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D047428:Protein Kinase Inhibitors; D011799:Quinazolines; D016190:Carboplatin; D000069347:Erlotinib Hydrochloride; D002945:Cisplatin