Erlotinib-associated interstitial pneumonitis with successful readministration

Abstract

Introduction Erlotinib is the main stay treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years. Though, interstitial lung disease following erlotinib use is rarely develop, it is a fatal adverse event if not immediately treat. Case Report We report the first case of erlotinib-induced interstitial pneumonitis with successful readministration. A Thai 64-year-old male patient with NSCLC, information includes patient presentation, laboratory findings, chest x-ray, computed tomography (CT) of chest, corticosteroid dose and duration. Management & Outcome The patient readministrated erlotinib after developed interstitial pneumonitis 3 weeks without developing second adverse event. Evaluation of disease after 2 months of treatment is stable disease per RECIST v1.1. Discussion We assumed that the mechanism for interstitial pneumonitis are diverse and some mechanism is not related with drug directly but rather transient condition and the drug can be readministrated without developing second adverse event. This could lead to change in practice of erlotinib readministration in the future.