Erlotinib (Tarceva) is a human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Some patients who have received it have had gastrointestinal perforations, with fatalities reported.
Chemical type: quinazolinamine
Approved for: advanced non-small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer. It has been investigated in additional tumors (renal, gynecologic, etc.)
Risk factors for GI tract perforation:
(1) high dose erlotinib therapy
(2) peptic ulcer disease
(3) diverticulosis
(4) concurrent therapy with anti-angiogenic agent
(5) concurrent taxane-based therapy
(6) corticosteroid therapy
(7) NSAID therapy
The drug should be discontinued if a gastrointestinal tract perforation occurs (absolute contraindication to further therapy).
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