Abstract
Gemcitabine in combination with the oral epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib is a new treatment option for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. The nonhematological side effects of this regimen mainly include diarrhea and skin rash. For each of these drugs, gemcitabine and erlotinib, lung toxicities have been described previously. In this report, we present the first case of a nonlung cancer patient experiencing not only acne-like skin toxicity, but subsequently also severe interstitial lung disease during therapy with gemcitabine and erlotinib. Both therapeutic agents were suspected as a possible cause of this adverse event. An interaction between gemcitabine and erlotinib might have also contributed to the pathogenesis of this pulmonary toxicity. Treatment with high-dose steroids was, however, very effective in our patient and a complete recovery appeared within a few days. Thus, pulmonary side effects should be regarded carefully in pancreatic cancer patients receiving palliative therapy with gemcitabine and erlotinib.
Publication types
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Case Reports
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adenocarcinoma / drug therapy*
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Adenocarcinoma / pathology
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
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Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
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Deoxycytidine / administration & dosage
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Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
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Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
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Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use
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Erlotinib Hydrochloride
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Exanthema / chemically induced*
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Exanthema / diagnosis
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Exanthema / drug therapy
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Gemcitabine
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Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
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Humans
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Lung Diseases, Interstitial / chemically induced*
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Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
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Lung Diseases, Interstitial / drug therapy
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Neoplasm Metastasis
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Pancreatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
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Pancreatic Neoplasms / pathology
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Prednisolone / therapeutic use
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Quinazolines / administration & dosage
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Quinazolines / adverse effects
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Quinazolines / therapeutic use
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Radiography
Substances
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Glucocorticoids
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Quinazolines
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Deoxycytidine
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Prednisolone
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Erlotinib Hydrochloride
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Gemcitabine