Therapeutic drug monitoring of Erlotinib in non-small cell lung carcinoma: a case study

Abstract

We describe a clinical case of an 84-year-old man diagnosed with non-small cell lung carcinoma and epidermal growth factor receptor mutation, who was treated with erlotinib, with doses adjusted by therapeutic drug monitoring. This case involved a clearance fluctuation leading to over-therapeutic drug concentrations of erlotinib and toxicity. The intrapatient and interpatient variability of erlotinib, in addition to other factors such as age or variations in liver clearance, create situations that are challenging in clinical practice. During treatment, erlotinib serum concentrations were measured, and the dose was accordingly adjusted. The erlotinib dose required to reduce toxicity (rash grade III) and maintain effective plasma concentrations, as well as clinical and radiological responses, was 50% of the initial dose, underscoring the relevance of therapeutic drug monitoring for tyrosine kinase inhibitors in routine clinical practice.