Crizotinib-associated erythema multiforme in a lung cancer patient

Crizotinib is an oral small-molecule anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine-kinase inhibitor for the treatment of ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A 63-year old woman with postoperative relapsed ALK-positive NSCLC was treated with crizotinib. Erythema multiforme (EM) occurred one week after initiation of crizotinib therapy. Skin biopsy specimen showed compatible drug eruption. The discontinuation of crizotinib improved her eruption within one week. This report presented the first case of crizotinib-associated EM, which is the preclinical stage of Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Although crizotinib is clinically available, we should be aware of its potential severe skin adverse event.