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Case Reports
. 2019 Jan 21;12(1):84-90.
doi: 10.1159/000493256. eCollection 2019 Jan-Apr.

Need for Flexible Adjustment of the Treatment Schedule for Aprepitant Administration against Erlotinib-Induced Refractory Pruritus and Skin Rush

Nobuhiko Seki  1 , Ryosuke Ochiai  1 , Terunobu Haruyama  1 , Masashi Ishihara  1 , Maika Natsume  1 , Yoko Fukasawa  1 , Takahiko Sakamoto  1 , Shigeru Tanzawa  1 , Ryo Usui  1 , Takeshi Honda  1 , Shuji Ota  1 , Yasuko Ichikawa  1 , Kiyotaka Watanabe  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Need for Flexible Adjustment of the Treatment Schedule for Aprepitant Administration against Erlotinib-Induced Refractory Pruritus and Skin Rush

Nobuhiko Seki et al. Case Rep Oncol. .

Abstract

Common dermatological side-effects associated with erlotinib, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), include pruritus and skin rash, which are mediated by substance P, leading to the occasional discontinuation of cancer treatment. Aprepitant is an antagonist of neurokinin-1 receptor, through which substance P activates the pruritogens. Thus, aprepitant is expected to offer a promising option for the treatment of erlotinib-induced pruritus. However, the appropriate treatment schedule for aprepitant administration is under consideration. Here, we discuss the need for flexible adjustment of the treatment schedule for aprepitant administration against erlotinib-induced refractory pruritus and skin rush. A 71-year-old female smoker presented with stage IV EGFR-mutated lung adenocarcinoma. She was started on erlotinib at 150 mg/day. However, by 28 days, severe pruritus and acneiform skin rush resistant to standard therapies occurred, resulting in the interruption of erlotinib therapy. After recovery, she was restarted on erlotinib at 100 mg/day. However, severe pruritus and skin rush developed again within 2 weeks. Then, we started the first 3-day dose of aprepitant (125 mg on day 1, 80 mg on day 3, and 80 mg on day 5) based on the results of the previous prospective study, which showed the success rate of 100% with at least the second dose of aprepitant. However, the pruritus and skin rush exacerbated again within 4 weeks. Therefore, we started the second 3-day dose of aprepitant, but in vain. At this point, as the patient-centered medicine, bi-weekly schedule of the 3-day dose of aprepitant was considered and, then, adopted. As the results, the pruritus and skin rush remained well-controlled throughout the subsequent treatment with erlotinib.

Keywords: Aprepitant; Erlotinib; Lung cancer; Pruritus; Skin rush.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Within 2 weeks after restarting erlotinib, severe pruritus developed again, followed by acneiform skin rush especially on her face.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Within 5 days after starting the first 3-day dose of aprepitant, the prompt improvement of the pruritus and skin rush was observed.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Within 4 weeks after starting the first 3-day dose of aprepitant, the pruritus and skin rush again exacerbated.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
After adopting the bi-weekly schedule of the 3-day dose of aprepitant, the pruritus and skin rush remained well-controlled throughout the subsequent treatment with erlotinib.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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