The PRIDE (Papulopustules and/or paronychia, Regulatory abnormalities of hair growth, Itching, and Dryness due to Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors) syndrome

Conflicts of interest: none declared. Sir, Agents that target the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have emerged as a novel therapy against a variety of malignancies. Unlike conventional chemotherapy, increased target specificity of EGFR inhibitors (EGFRIs) is associated with fewer nonspecific toxicities and no haematopoietic side‐effects.1 Despite these benefits, increased use and clinical surveillance of patients treated with EGFRIs has led to the identification of a frequently occurring constellation of findings, which may result in antineoplastic therapy interruption or discontinuation.2 There is a lack of an adequate nosological consensus for these reactions, which has led to inconsistencies in staging and treatment guidelines.3 The clinical findings are believed to be due to EGFR inhibition in the epidermis, hair follicle and nail matrix, with a resulting alteration in normal functioning of these structures. Clinical and experimental findings suggest that these reactions are not merely an established dermatological entitity caused by EGFRIs, but rather represent a condition sui generis.4, 5 Thus, a unique nosological term is urgently needed, and should encompass the most frequently occurring clinical findings: a papulopustular rash; nail and periungual abnormalities; alterations in hair texture and growth; and xerosis and pruritus.3