Reactions 1413 - 4 Aug 2012

SAntineoplastics

Haematological toxicities: 7 case reportsSeven women aged 31–82 years received erlotinib or

gefitinib in combination with one or more cytotoxic drugs[routes, dosages, and durations of treatment to reactiononset not stated] for lung cancer and developed grade 3-4adverse events [see table].

Patient characteristicsPatient/sex/ Drugs (number of Grade 3-4 adverseage (y) cycles) reactions

1/F/82 erlotinib, anaemiagemcitabine (2)

2/F/82 erlotinib, leucopenia,pemetrexed (2) neutropenia, anaemia

3/F/75 erlotinib, leucopenia, neutropeniapemetrexed (1)

4/F/75 gefitinib, carboplatin, neutropenia,pemetrexed (6) thrombocytopenia,

anaemia5/F/69 erlotinib, carboplatin, leucopenia

docetaxel (2)6/F/76 erlotinib, docetaxel (2) neutropenia,

leucopenia, anaemia7/F/31 gefitinib, docetaxel (3) leucopenia

The regimen was changed in patients 1–3 [othertreatments not stated; outcomes not stated].

Author comment: "Concerning adverse events of grade 3or higher, they were all hematotoxicity".Hirano S, et al. Efficacy of combination therapy with EGFR-TKI and cytotoxicdrug in lung adenocarcinoma already treated with EGFR-TKI. Gan to KagakuRyoho 39: 213-219, No. 2, Feb 2012 [Japanese; summarised from a translation] -Japan 803074505

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