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Erlotinib in advanced well-differentiated thymic carcinoma with overexpression of EGFR: a case report
Rebecca Pedersini1, Emanuela Vattemi, Maria Rita Lusso
1Division of Medical Oncology, Central Hospital, Bolzano, Italy. rebecca.pedersini@asbz.it
Aims And Background:
Advanced chemorefractory epithelial thymic tumors are still a challenge in clinical oncology. A therapeutic approach targeting a key molecular pathway could be the ideal solution in a neoplasm that can overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the epithelial component.
Methods:
A patient with metastatic heavily pretreated thymic carcinoma was evaluated for EGFR expression in the primary tumor.
Results:
Strong EGFR expression was revealed by immunohistochemistry. The patient received erlotinib therapy but had obtained no response after four months of treatment.
Conclusion:
This preliminary experience suggests that erlotinib may not be a useful therapeutic choice in advanced pretreated thymic carcinomas.
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