Figure 2 - available via license: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Content may be subject to copyright.
Scattered acneiform papular rash at various stages of eruption on an erythematous background centered along the upper back and lateral arms. A note should be made of the associated hyperpigmentation close to the axillary fold due to more maturing papular eruption. This photo was taken in April 2020.
Source publication
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) can result in significant skin toxicities that may impact patients’ quality of life. While these skin reactions are well documented in patients with lighter skin, there is a paucity of literature and images to guide clinicians in their assessment in patients with da...
Similar publications
Osimertinib is currently the preferred first-line therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with common epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and the standard second-line therapy in T790M-positive patients in progression to previous EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Osimertinib is a highly effective treatment that shows a...
Citations
Epidermal melanin unit integrity is crucial for skin homeostasis and pigmentation. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR) is a pivotal player in cell growth, wound healing, and maintaining skin homeostasis. However, its influence on skin pigmentation is relatively unexplored. This study investigates the impact and underlying mechanisms of EGFR inhibitors on skin pigmentation. We evaluated EGF and EGFR expression in various skin cells using quantitative real‐time PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. EGF and EGFR were predominantly expressed in epidermal keratinocytes, and treatment with the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR‐TKIs) gefitinib and PD153035 significantly increased stem cell factor (SCF) and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) expression in cultured keratinocytes. Enhanced melanocyte migration and proliferation were observed in co‐culture, as evidenced by time‐lapse live imaging and single‐cell tracking assays. Furthermore, topical application of gefitinib to guinea pig dorsal skin induced increased pigmentation and demonstrated efficacy in mitigating rhododendrol‐induced leukoderma. Suppression of EGF signaling indirectly enhanced skin pigmentation by upregulating SCF and ET‐1 in epidermal keratinocytes. This novel mechanism highlights the pivotal role of EGF signaling in regulating skin pigmentation, and topical EGFR‐TKI therapy at an appropriate dose may be a promising approach for depigmentation disorder management.
