Afatinib-associated Stevens-Johnson syndrome in an EGFR-mutated lung cancer patient.

INTRODUCTION

Afatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), that has been approved for treating patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutated advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) related to EGFR directed TKIs is a rare adverse event.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 79-year-old white female with EGFR-mutated, metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer treated with afatinib as first-line palliative treatment, who developed a SJS after two months of treatment. Discontinuation of the TKI and systemic glucocorticoid treatment led to improvement of symptoms and recovery.

CONCLUSION

Severe adverse cutaneous drug reactions that predominantly involve the skin and mucous membranes during treatment with afatinib should alert clinicians to suspect SJS and react appropriately.