Unusual hair changes with prolonged erlotinib exposure

摘要

The introduction of new therapies that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) for the treatment of various malignancies has been associated with new cutaneous toxicities; papulopustular rash (45-100%), abnormalities of hair growth (21%), dry and itchy skin (12-16%) and periungual inflammation. The localization of these side-effects to the mucocutaneous sites and the high rates of these reactions are thought to reflect the function of EGFR in the epidermis, hair follicle and periungual tissues.2 Erlotinib, a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting the EGFR, is associated with various acute and chronic cutaneous changes typical of this class of agent. We present a case associated with unusual changes to the patient's hair.