Acute lung injury as a possible adverse drug reaction related to gefitinib

Gefitinib is a potent drug used in the treatment of nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Gefitinib acts by inhibition of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase. Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy of gefitinib for NSCLC. Adverse drug reactions, although frequent, are mild, and include acne-like skin rash and diarrhoea.

The present study describes the case of a 56-yr-old male with NSCLC who, 4 weeks after treatment with gefitinib, suffered from a severe alveolar haemorrhage diagnosed by bronchoalveolar lavage.

This is the first case report of an acute life-threatening lung injury in a patient with nonsmall-cell lung cancer who had been given gefitinib.