The Hair Loss Encyclopedia

A Case Report of Inflammatory Nonscarring Alopecia Associated with the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Erlotinib

June 2009 in “ Journal of Cutaneous Pathology ”

Marinya Pongpudpunth, Marie France Demierre, Lynne J. Goldberg

nonscarring alopecia epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib EGFRI anagen hair follicles catagen hair follicles telogen hair follicles lymphoplasmocytic infiltration EGFR inhibitor

TLDR Erlotinib can cause nonscarring hair loss and itchy skin.

This case report described a 60-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer who developed nonscarring alopecia and a generalized itchy skin eruption after starting treatment with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) erlotinib. Scalp biopsy revealed typical features of nonscarring alopecia associated with EGFRIs, including a near-equal number of anagen and catagen/telogen hair follicles and lymphoplasmocytic infiltration. The report highlighted the importance of recognizing these side effects, as EGFRIs were expected to be increasingly used in cancer treatment, necessitating awareness among dermatopathologists for accurate diagnosis and management.

View this study on doi.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

9 / 9 results

research The PRIDE Syndrome: Dermatological Side Effects of EGFR Inhibitors

90 citations , August 2006 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

PRIDE syndrome includes skin and hair issues from cancer treatment with EGFR inhibitors.

research Nonscarring Inflammatory Alopecia Associated With the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor Gefitinib

57 citations , August 2006 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Gefitinib can cause hair loss without scarring.

Trichomegaly of the Eyelashes Following Treatment with Cetuximab

research Trichomegaly of the Eyelashes Following Treatment with Cetuximab

78 citations , June 2005 in “Annals of oncology”

Cetuximab can cause excessive eyelash growth.

research Follicular and Epidermal Alterations in Patients Treated with ZD1839 (Iressa), an Inhibitor of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

169 citations , September 2002 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

ZD1839 (Iressa) causes skin and hair side effects, treatable with tretinoin cream and minocycline.

research Genetically Null Mice Reveal a Central Role for Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in the Differentiation of the Hair Follicle and Normal Hair Development

107 citations , June 1997 in “PubMed”

EGFR is essential for normal hair development and follicle differentiation.

research Expression of a Dominant Negative Mutant of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in the Epidermis of Transgenic Mice Elicits Striking Alterations in Hair Follicle Development and Skin Structure.

252 citations , November 1995 in “The EMBO Journal”

Blocking EGFR in mice causes hair loss and skin changes.

Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Morphology and Patterns of DNA Synthesis in Isolated Human Hair Follicles

research Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on the Morphology and Patterns of DNA Synthesis in Isolated Human Hair Follicles

94 citations , February 1994 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

EGF makes hair follicles grow longer but stops hair production.

research Comparison of Epidermal Growth Factor Binding and Receptor Distribution in Normal Human Epidermis and Epidermal Appendages

323 citations , November 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Distribution of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Rat Tissues During Embryonic Skin Development, Hair Formation, and the Adult Hair Growth Cycle

112 citations , August 1984 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”