CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Avicenna J Med 2011; 01(02): 52-54
DOI: 10.4103/2231-0770.90916
CASE REPORT

Erlotinib eradicates brain metastases from epidermal growth factor receptor mutant non-small cell lung cancer

Siavash Jabbari
Department of Radiation Oncology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA
,
Michael Pins
Department of Pathology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA
,
Kimberly Kruczek
Department of Medicine, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA
,
Chadi Nabhan
Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, USA
› Author Affiliations
Source of Support Nil.

Abstract

Erlotinib is active in patients with lung cancer; especially those who demonstrate a mutation in exons 18-21 in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Patients with lung cancer and brain metastases have poor prognosis as systemic chemotherapy is ineffective in treating the central nervous system (CNS) metastases due to its inability to cross the blood brain barrier. Herein, we report a case of a 61 year old female who presented with stage IV adenocarcinoma of the lung with bilateral cerebral and cerebellar CNS involvement. The patient′s tumor harbored a mutation in exon 19 in the EGFR gene. Treatment with erlotinib was started as soon as the molecular studies were available with remarkable and complete radiographic response in the CNS disease, and complete resolution of the previously detected metastases. The patient did not receive any other CNS intervention and radiation was not given due to the lack of CNS symptoms.



Publication History

Article published online:
09 August 2021

© 2011. Syrian American Medical Society. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

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