Dermatologic toxicities in epidermal growth factor receptor: a comprehensive pharmacovigilance study from 2013 to 2023

Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Jan 24:10:1283807. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1283807. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) induced cutaneous toxicity is a common adverse event (AE), although it is not as severe as major cancers, we still need to pay enough attention to them. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the diversity of EGFRI class drugs. The objective of this study was to conduct a scientific and systematic investigation into the correlation between EGFRI and cutaneous toxicities. The data accessed from the FDA adverse event reporting system database (FAERS) encompass a time frame spanning from January 2013 to March 2023. By utilizing reporting odds ratios (RORs), information components (ICs), proportional reporting ratios (PRRs), and chi-squared (χ2), the relationship between drugs and adverse reactions was evaluated through disproportionality analysis. Within the FAERS database, a total of 29,559 skin adverse events were recorded. A robust indication of the correlation between EGFRI and elderly patients (≥65 years) was identified. Among EGFRIs, erlotinib accounted for the largest proportion of skin adverse events (39.72%). Rash, dry skin, and pruritus ranked top among all preferred terms, and signals such as rash, skin lesions, and acneiform dermatitis were detected in every single drug. Clinicians should guide patients customize the treatment plan for each patient.

Keywords: FAERS; cutaneous toxicity; data mining; epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors; pharmacovigilance.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by General Project of Liaoning Provincial Department of Education (No: JYTMS20231380).