Erlotinib-related rhabdomyolysis: the role of pharmacogenetics and drug–drug interaction

Excerpt

Erlotinib is a small molecule which inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Erlotinib, at a standard daily oral dose, is licensed for the treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and is well tolerated. Majority of adverse events are of mild intensity and generally well manageable and reversible. The most common reported adverse effects are skin rash and diarrhea [1‐4]. Rhabdomyolysis is a well-known clinical syndrome of muscle injury associated with myoglobinuria, electrolyte abnormalities, and often acute kidney injury. It has been frequently reported in association with the use of lipid-lowering agents, alcohol, and drugs, but is an uncommon complication of antineoplastic treatment [5‐8]. However, cases of rhabdomyolysis have been described in patients treated with imatinib and, up to now, only one case in patient treated with erlotinib alone [9, 10]. …