Successful Treatment with Ramucirumab Plus Erlotinib following Osimertinib-induced Interstitial Lung Disease

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pulmonology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are crucial for EGFR mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
• Osimertinib is a standard EGFR-TKI, but drug-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a significant adverse event.
• Limited evidence exists on continuing or re-challenging EGFR-TKIs after severe drug-induced ILD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first successful treatment switch in a patient with osimertinib-induced severe ILD.
• To evaluate ramucirumab plus erlotinib as a potential alternative therapy post-osimertinib-induced severe ILD.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an 81-year-old woman with stage IV lung adenocarcinoma and EGFR L858R mutation.
• Patient experienced severe ILD while on osimertinib treatment.
• Treatment was switched to ramucirumab plus erlotinib.

Main Results:

• Successful treatment continuation with ramucirumab plus erlotinib after osimertinib-induced severe ILD.
• The patient tolerated the new regimen, suggesting its viability.

Conclusions:

• Ramucirumab plus erlotinib may be a viable treatment option for patients with severe ILD induced by osimertinib.
• This finding provides valuable insight into managing severe adverse events in NSCLC treatment.