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Erlotinib-induced episcleritis in a patient with pancreatic cancer
Armin Shahrokni1, Justyna Matuszczak, Mohammad Reza Rajebi
1Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Context:
Erlotinib is a relatively new anilinoquinazoline indicated for treatment of pancreatic cancer in combination with gemcitabine. It is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that specifically targets epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is commonly overexpressed and/or mutated in solid tumors. Active competitive inhibition of adenosine triphosphate, inhibits downstream signal transduction of ligand dependent EGFR activation. EGFR kinase inhibitors are less toxic than conventional chemotherapy as they are relatively specific for tumor cells. Common side effects include acneiform (papulopustular) rash, diarrhea, edema, pruritus, dry skin and alopecia.
Case Report:
This article reports the case of a 55-year-old Caucasian female with recurrent pancreatic cancer who developed episcleritis after seventeen days of treatment with erlotinib. Symptoms completely resolved four weeks after drug discontinuation.
Conclusions:
To our knowledge, erlotinib-induced episcleritis has not been previously described.
Insights
Erlotinib, used for pancreatic cancer, can cause episcleritis, an eye inflammation. Symptoms resolved after discontinuing the EGFR inhibitor medication.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Erlotinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat pancreatic cancer.
- EGFR inhibitors offer a targeted therapy with potentially lower toxicity than traditional chemotherapy.
- Common side effects include rash, diarrhea, and alopecia.
Observation:
- A case study details a 55-year-old female patient with recurrent pancreatic cancer.
- The patient developed episcleritis, an inflammation of the outer eye's connective tissue, after 17 days of erlotinib treatment.
Findings:
- This is the first reported case of erlotinib-induced episcleritis.
- The ocular inflammation resolved completely within four weeks of discontinuing erlotinib.
Implications:
- Highlights a rare but significant ocular side effect of erlotinib therapy.
- Clinicians should be aware of potential episcleritis in patients treated with EGFR inhibitors.
- Further investigation into the mechanism of erlotinib-induced ocular inflammation may be warranted.
