Tuberc Respir Dis.  2006 Aug;61(2):150-156.

Cutaneous Adverse Reactions Induced by Gefitinib (Iressa) in Lung Cancer Patients

• Yun SJ
• Lee JB
• Kim KS
• Kim YC

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.

Keyword

Gefitinib; Cutaneous adverse reactions; Lung cancer

MeSH Terms

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
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor

Figure

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  Figure 1 Acneiform eruption on the face (A), post neck (B).

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  Figure 2 Acneiform eruption on ant chest (A), and back (B).

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  Figure 3 Dryness with scales on the abdomen.

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  Figure 4 Erythema and exfoliation on the palm (A) and sole (B).

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  Figure 5 Paronychia with granulation tissue on the fingernail (A) and toenail (B).

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  Figure 6 Hair breakage on the forearm.

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  Figure 7 Intertrigo on the popliteal area.

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