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Published on: June 26, 2019
Dual EGFR and ABL Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Treatment in a Patient with Concomitant EGFR-Mutated Lung Adenocarcinoma
Kousuke Watanabe1, Hidenori Kage1, Saki Nagoshi1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combination is expected to increase in the era of precision medicine. TKI combination may be required to treat double primary cancers, each having a targetable gene, or to treat a single malignancy with multiple targetable genes. Here, we demonstrate the first report of dual EGFR and ABL TKI treatment in a patient with concomitant EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma and BCR-ABL1-positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). A 60-year-old man with an 8-year history of CML was diagnosed as advanced EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma. Complete molecular response of CML had been achieved by imatinib, and ABL-TKI had been switched to nilotinib four years previously due to muscle cramps. We discontinued nilotinib and started afatinib. Although partial response of lung adenocarcinoma was achieved, cytogenetic relapse of CML was observed following nilotinib discontinuation. We applied the previously described framework of cytochrome P450 3A4-mediated oral drug-drug interactions and selected gefitinib and nilotinib to treat both malignancies. We effectively and safely administered this combination for seven months. The present report is the first to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of dual EGFR and ABL TKI treatment in a patient with concomitant EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma and CML.
Insights
This study reports the first successful dual treatment of EGFR-mutated lung cancer and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) using both EGFR and ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The combination therapy proved safe and effective for managing these co-occurring malignancies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Precision Medicine
Background:
- Precision medicine increasingly utilizes tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) combinations for complex cancers.
- Co-occurring malignancies or single cancers with multiple targets necessitate combined TKI therapies.
Observation:
- A patient with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma presented unique treatment challenges.
- Initial treatment with afatinib for lung cancer led to CML relapse after nilotinib discontinuation.
Findings:
- A dual TKI regimen combining gefitinib (EGFR) and nilotinib (ABL) was selected based on cytochrome P450 3A4 interactions.
- This combination effectively and safely managed both EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma and BCR-ABL1-positive CML for seven months.
Implications:
- This case establishes the first evidence for the safety and efficacy of dual EGFR and ABL TKI therapy in a patient with concomitant lung adenocarcinoma and CML.
- The findings support the strategic use of combined TKIs in precision medicine for patients with multiple distinct, targetable malignancies.
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