Treatment of squamous cell vulvar cancer with the anti-EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor Tarceva

Background. The purpose of this case report is to describe the first experience with erlotinib (Tarceva) in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer. Case. Two elderly patients presented with locally advanced vulvar cancer. surgery was not a suitable method of treatment for either of them because of multiple medical co-morbidities and stage of disease. One patient had disease progression on standard chemoradiation. Erlotinib, an oral epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was tried in both cases and dramatic responses were observed. Conclusion. Therapy targeted to EGFR may be effective in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer. This new therapeutic approach deserves further evaluation in carefully designed studies. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.