Successful management of a lung cancer patient harbouring both EGFR mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene with disseminated intravascular coagulation

Lung cancer patients harbouring driver oncogene alterations are markedly responsive to molecular target agents, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein like 4 - anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK)-TKI. We encountered an exceptionally rare case, harbouring both EGFR mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene, and suffering from severe disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this case report, we present two notable points. First, our patient was successfully treated with a third-generation EGFR-TKI, osimertinib. Second, osimertinib could manage severe conditions, such as disseminated intravascular coagulation. Third-generation EGFR-TKIs may be a viable option for patients harbouring both EGFR mutations and EML4-ALK fusion genes, even in severe conditions. READ ARTICLE

Respiratory Medicine Case Reports DOI:10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101393

Authors: Kohei Fujita, Megumi Naka, Takanori Ito, Osamu Kanai, Koichi Maekawa, Koichi Nakatani, Tadashi Mio