Complete Tumor Response with Afatinib 20 mg Daily in EGFR-Mutated Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report

Clin Drug Investig. 2017 Jun;37(6):581-585. doi: 10.1007/s40261-017-0515-2.

Abstract

Afatinib, a second-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is efficacious as first-line treatment in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Dosage reduction is recommended in patients with intolerable adverse events; however, data regarding the efficacy of low-dose afatinib are limited. We report the case of a 71-year-old female patient who was diagnosed with advanced EGFR-mutated NSCLC and started treatment with oral afatinib 40 mg daily. The patient achieved partial tumor response on computed tomography imaging, but developed unacceptable skin-related toxicities requiring dosage reduction to 20 mg daily. The patient subsequently achieved complete tumor response and showed improvements in performance status. These observations suggest that low-dose afatinib is effective in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who require dosage reduction for intolerable adverse events.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Afatinib
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Mutation*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Afatinib
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors