Cicatricial Alopecia Caused by the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor, Gefitinib / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are new anticancer agents that act by inhibiting EGFR signaling transduction pathways, thus decreasing tumor growth. They have made anti-cancer treatment more tolerable and have also reduced systemic side effects. However, they have many cutaneous side effects. Alopecia is an uncommon cutaneous side effect of EGFRIs, and cicatricial alopecia has been reported more rarely. A 59-year-old woman presented with itching and hair loss on the scalp, which started 2 months ago. She had been taking gefitinib for 7 months. A physical examination revealed localized erythematous hairless patches with scattered thick crusts on the scalp. Histopathologic examination showed a decreased number of hair follicles with perifollicular lymphocytes infiltration and perifollicular fibrosis, consistent with a scarring alopecia. We report a rare and interesting case of cicatricial alopecia after using the EGFRI, gefitinib.