Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Induced by Gefitinib (Iressa) in Lung Cancer Patients.
10.4046/trd.2006.61.2.150
- Author:
Sook Jung YUN
1
;
Jee Bum LEE
;
Kyu Sik KIM
;
Young Chul KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Gefitinib;
Cutaneous adverse reactions;
Lung cancer
- MeSH:
Acneiform Eruptions;
Adenocarcinoma;
Adenocarcinoma, Bronchiolo-Alveolar;
Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Eyelids;
Hair;
Humans;
Intertrigo;
Jeollanam-do;
Lung Neoplasms*;
Lung*;
Paronychia;
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases;
Pruritus;
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor;
Referral and Consultation;
Skin
- From:Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
2006;61(2):150-156
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Gefitinib (ZD 1839, Iressa) is a new anticancer agent; more specifically, it is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is, widely used for various solid cancers, including lung cancer. Cutaneous adverse reactions induced by gefitinib have recently been reported; however, not much on this topic has been reported in the Korean literature. METHOD: We studied cutaneous adverse reactions of gefitinib in 23 patients who suffered with non-small cell lung cancer at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital from October 2004 to September 2005. RESULT: The patients ranged from 23-72 years old, and there were 17 patients with adenocarcinoma, 5 with squamous cell carcinoma and 1 with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. The most common adverse reaction was acneiform eruptions in 15 patients (65.2%). This reaction appeared within 2 months after medication, and it didn't correlate with the therapeutic response and tumor type. Pruritus was the second most common reaction (39.1%), which was mild and generalized, especially around eyelid area. Xerosis (26.1%), exfoliation on palm and sole (21.7%), and paronychia (21.7%) followed. Hair breakage and intertrigo were rare adverse reactions. CONCLUSION: Various cutaneous adverse reactions were observed in patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma after gefitinib treatment. The skin complications could be alleviated with dermatologic consultations and treatments, skin complications could be alleviated.
