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Published on: August 11, 2017

Treatment of gefitinib-associated folliculitis

Patricia Matheis1, Mark A Socinski, Craig Burkhart

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|October 3, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Gefitinib treatment for lung cancer can cause acneiform folliculitis. Combination therapy with topical metronidazole and oral tetracyclines effectively treated this side effect, with results documented by photographs.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gefitinib (Iressa) is an epidermal growth factor inhibitor used for advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma.
  • A known side effect of gefitinib is acneiform folliculitis.
  • Previous reports on treating this condition lack detailed photodocumentation.

Observation:

  • This study presents three consecutive cases of gefitinib-associated folliculitis.
  • Photodocumentation of treatment responses was meticulously recorded.
  • The observed folliculitis presented in an acneiform distribution.

Findings:

  • Combination therapy involving topical metronidazole and oral tetracyclines was administered.
  • The treatment demonstrated a positive response in all three reported cases.
  • Photographic evidence supports the efficacy of this therapeutic approach.

Implications:

  • This combination therapy offers a viable treatment option for gefitinib-induced folliculitis.
  • The findings provide crucial visual evidence for clinicians managing this side effect.
  • Further research may explore this treatment in larger patient cohorts for lung cancer patients.

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