Abstract

Gefitinib and erlotinib, which are epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), have been used for the treatment of inoperable and recurrent non-small cell lung cancer patients. A major side effect of these drugs is skin rash, which occurs at a high frequency. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that belongs to the vitamin B family; biotin deficiency increases the risk of skin dermatitis. We recently reported that biotin was administered to four patients with skin rash, all of whom were treated with either gefitinib or erlotinib and were unable to be treated by a steroid ointment alone. Biotin may be considered useful in the treatment of skin rash caused by EGFR-TKIs. The aim of this paper is to discuss the usefulness of biotin in patients with erythema because of gefitinib and erlotinib.