Erlotinib and gefitinib, epidermal growth factor receptor kinase inhibitors, may treat non-cancer-related tumor necrosis factor-α mediated inflammatory diseases.

Kinase inhibitors that enter clinical use as treatments for cancer may have off-target effects, making them efficacious in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Case reports are presented on the potential of erlotinib and gefitinib for treating psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and other nonautoimmune inflammatory disorders.

Concerning the stability of benzyl alcohol: formation of benzaldehyde dibenzyl acetal under aerobic conditions.

An impurity in benzyl alcohol was identified as benzaldehyde dibenzyl acetal (BDBA). The component BDBA is reversibly formed by the reaction of benzyl alcohol with benzaldehyde, an oxidative degradation product of benzyl alcohol. Whereas, BDBA is a known chemical entity, it is not typically controlled in commercial benzyl alcohol since it cannot be formed in the absence of benzaldehyde, which is itself generally controlled.