Purpuric drug eruption and alopecia induced by erlotinib

Abstract

We herein report a case of diffuse alopecia with pustules on the scalp and purpuric lesions on the lower legs in a Japanese man after treatment with erlotinib. This is a unique case in which rare skin eruptions simultaneously occurred. We discuss herein a combination of skin eruptions as an adverse reaction of epidermal growth factor-receptor (EGF-R) tyrosine kinase inhibitor. It is indispensable to be aware of rare skin reactions when applying molecular targeting therapies.