Clinical significance and treatment of skin rash from erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer patients: Results of an Experts Panel Meeting

Advances in the knowledge of tumor biology and mechanisms of oncogenesis has granted the singling out of several molecular targets for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Among these targets, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), or HER1, has received particular attention in lung cancer treatment. Erlotinib, an orally available inhibitor of EGFR tyrosine kinase in a phase III randomized placebo-controlled trial (BR.21), has been proven to prolong survival in NSCLC patients after first or second line chemotherapy. Skin rash is the most common adverse event associated with erlotinib treatment and it is often cause of negative impact on patients’ quality of life. There is no specific treatment for this toxicity due to the lack of evidence-based data and recommendations. A panel of Italian oncologists, who had participated to clinical trials and to the Expanded Access Program for erlotinib in NSCLC treatment, and dermatologists with experience with cutaneous toxicity from EGFR inhibitors, attended a Meeting held in Rome on December 2006 to discuss skin rash from erlotinib and to provide suggestions for managing this frequent side-effect.