Crizotinib-associated toxic epidermal necrolysis in an ALK-positive advanced NSCLC patient

Crizotinib is an oral small-molecule inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine-kinase that has been approved for treating patients with advanced echinoderm microtubule associated protein like 4-ALK rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare adverse event associated with crizotinib. The present study reported a case of a 75-year-old Chinese male patient with advanced NSCLC with ALK fusion, who developed TEN after 56 days of crizotinib treatment and demised due to this dermatological adverse event. The occurrence of severe cutaneous necrolysis that predominantly involves the skin and mucous membranes during crizotinib treatment should alert clinicians to be aware of TEN and take prompt actions.