Scalp acneiform rash caused by erlotinib: a case report

Abstract

Acneiform rash is a chronic inflammatory skin disease involving hair follicle and sebaceous glands， primarily manifested with papules， pustules， cysts and nodules， accompanied by obvious pruritus. Here， we reported a 61-year-old female lung cancer patient presenting with recurrent erythema， papules， erosion， pustules and alopecia after oral administration of erlotinib. Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton rubrum were cultured in the secretions from the lesions. She was diagnosed with scalp acneiform rash and fungal skin infection. High clinical efficacy was achieved after combined use of multiple drugs. Oral intake of erlotinib was not discontinued throughout the treatment. This case suggests that epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors may cause recurrent or refractory acneiform rash. It is necessary to deepen the understanding of these adverse reactions and take active therapeutic measures to avoid the interruption or even discontinuation of targeted therapy.

Keywords

• |erlotinib|acneiform rash|crisaborole|treatment