Periocular Manifestations of Afatinib Therapy
December 2018
in “
Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
”
Studysummary This study reports a rare side effect of trichiasis in a patient with spinal chordoma treated with Afatinib, a type of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Afatinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in cancer treatment, was reported to cause trichiasis, a condition where eyelashes grow abnormally and irritate the eyes, in a 67-year-old woman with spinal chordoma. After 6 months of daily Afatinib 50 mg, she experienced ocular irritation, pain, and blurred vision. Clinical examination showed trichomegaly, trichiasis, blepharitis, and corneal abrasion, along with hypertrichosis of the eyebrows. These side effects were attributed to the activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway in keratinocytes, leading to hair follicle remodeling and varying severity of trichiasis.
