Erlotinib in Advanced Well-Differentiated Thymic Carcinoma with Overexpression of EGFR: A Case Report

Abstract

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Advanced chemorefractory epithelial thymic tumors are still a challenge in clinical oncology. A therapeutic approach targeting a key molecular pathway could be the ideal solution in a neoplasm that can overexpress epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the epithelial component. METHODS: A patient with metastatic heavily pretreated thymic carcinoma was evaluated for EGFR expression in the primary tumor. RESULTS: Strong EGFR expression was revealed by immunohistochemistry. The patient received erlotinib therapy but had obtained no response after four months of treatment. CONCLUSION: This preliminary experience suggests that erlotinib may not be a useful therapeutic choice in advanced pretreated thymic carcinomas.