What is known and objective: A randomized phase III study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of second-line platinum-based chemotherapy with or without erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR-activating mutation after secondary resistance to EGFR-TKIs (epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors).
Case summary: We report herein two of the first three patients who presented with major gastrointestinal toxicities in the experimental arm of the trial.
What is new and conclusion: Pending further data, it would seem safer to administer EGFR-TKIs and chemotherapy sequentially rather than concomitantly.
Keywords: chemotherapy; erlotinib; gastrointestinal toxicity; non-small cell lung cancer.
© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.