Search

A 79-year-old man with a recent diagnosis of acute myeloblastic leukemia received induction chemotherapy with daunorubicin and cytarabine, plus moxifloxacin and fluconazole prophylaxis. Approximately 2 weeks later, an asymptomatic eruption appeared on his trunk. He then developed a neutropenic fever and was started on aztreonam, vancomycin, voriconazole, and amikacin and was transferred to our facility from an outside hospital. Micafungin was subsequently added, and the patient defervesced within a few days.

Cutaneous adverse events are commonly experienced with use of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of leukemia and typically include nonspecific cutaneous eruptions and xerosis. We report the case of a man who experienced an ichthyosiform drug eruption while taking ponatinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Disruption of epidermal growth pathways through inhibition of various receptor tyrosine kinases by ponatinib may offer insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms behind acquired ichthyosis.

Background: Acantholytic dyskeratosis under BRAF inhibitors are dermatological diseases rarely reported to date., Patients and Methods: We report 2 cases of acantholytic dyskeratosis, reaching the trunk and the seborrheic zones, not itchy, appeared one month after the introduction of vemurafenib. The histological analysis was typical of a "Grover-like rash" for the 2 patients., Discussion: The appearance of acantholytic dyskeratosis under vemurafenib, a BRAF inhibitor, seems related with a paradoxical activation of the MAP-kinases pathway and with a growth acceleration of lesions in which RAS mutations of keratinocytes. Theses dermatoses seem also to occur with dabrafenib., Conclusion: The patients treated by BRAF inhibitors (vemurafenib and dabrafenib) can present acantholytic dyskeratosis. The arisen of this mild dermatosis does not question, of course, the continuation of the treatment. These cutaneous manifestations can be managed with emollients., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Skin toxicities are the most common side effects associated with the epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor erlotinib, occurring in most patients receiving the drug. Clinical trials evaluating erlotinib for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer have reported a range of skin disorders, the most common being acneiform rash, xeroderma (dry skin), pruritus, and paronychia. Although in the majority of cases these effects are mild and transient, they can have a considerable impact on a patient's quality of life and, if particularly severe and persistent, may necessitate treatment interruption or cessation and compromise treatment outcome. This coupled with recent evidence to suggest a positive correlation between the incidence and severity of rash and clinical outcome among erlotinib-treated patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer highlights the importance of adequately managing epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor--related skin disorders. Clear treatment strategies are therefore necessary to ensure the prevention and optimal management of erlotinib-related skin toxicities thereby enabling patients to continue erlotinib treatment. In this review we present a practical approach for the treatment of erlotinib-related cutaneous side effects in Japanese patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer providing details of specific treatment interventions, according to symptom severity, for each of the common skin disorders. In addition, the importance of preventive skin care measures--namely maintaining cleanliness, moisturization, and protection from external stimuli--in preventing the development of serious skin disorders is discussed and guidelines for the practice of proper skin care are presented., (Copyright © 2013 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mammalian target of rapamycine (mTOR) inhibitors are being increasingly prescribed as antitumoural drugs, and associated adverse cutaneous effects are frequent but poorly described. The aim of this study was to describe such adverse effects and to assess the quality of life of patients experiencing them., Patients and Methods: Over a period of 18 months, 18 patients treated with mTOR inhibitors for renal carcinoma were included and 77 dermatological examinations performed. Wherever a cutaneous adverse event was present, quality of life was evaluated using the Skindex 30 questionnaire., Results: Fifteen of the 18 patients included presented adverse cutaneous events, consisting of buccal ulcers (61.1%), xerosis (55.5%), distal onycholysis (50%), acneiform eruption (38.8%), paronychia (22.2%) and pruritus (22.2%). Buccal ulcerations and perionyxis had an especially marked impact on quality of life, which was greatest in terms of physical score (19%), followed by emotional (9%) and functional (6%) scores., Conclusion: Cutaneous adverse effects of mTOR inhibitors are frequent and have a considerable impact on quality of life, particularly as regards physical scores. Dermatological examination appears useful to allow early management of cutaneous adverse effects and improve the quality of life of these patients., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors such as cetuximab, erlotinib, panitumumab und gefitinib, are increasingly used for the treatment of advanced, metastatic, or recurrent tumours like colorectal carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and pancreatic cancer. For this reason the treatment of common cutaneous side effects of EGFR inhibitors has become important: they stigmatize the patient in daily life and may lead to efficacious therapie being discontinued. Depending on the particular EGFR inhibitor, an acneiform rash occurs in 30 to 90 % of patients. Severity, site, stage of eruptions and individual response influence the decision of treatment in the given case. It follows the forms of treatment for acne and rosacea, including topical and systemic antibiotics for their antimicrobial effect and anti-inflammatory effect, sometimes in combination with topical steroids. After several weeks additional sebostatic skin reactions, paronychia and changes in the hair structure may occur, calling for individualized treatment. Only multidisciplinary collaboration between oncologists, radiotherapist and dermatologists may provide an optimal patient care. This article gives an overview of the occurrence and latest treatment options of the cutaneous side effects caused by treatment with EGFR inhibitors., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart.New York.)

There are many anatomical and functional differences between the skin of young children and adult skin. As a consequence, the skin is more easily irritated by topical agents. There is also increased transcutaneous absorption; the latter effect is amplified by underlying conditions such as ichthyoses and atopic dermatitis with defects of the epidermal barrier. Common topical agents such as salicylic acid and lactic acid can cause life-threatening intoxications. The relevance of transcutaneous absorption of "hidden" ingredients such as polyethylene glycol and preservatives is unknown at present. By emulsifying endogenous barrier lipids, emulsifiers can promote skin dryness. We review the effects of common emollients and their suitability for skin care in children, particularly with the aim to reduce exposure to potential contact allergens and inadvertent emollient activity.

Lamivudine is widely used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection because of it's remarkable antiviral efficacy and safety. We report a case of severe skin eruption caused by lamivudine. A 47-year-old female was admitted because of jaundice and itching sensation. She was diagnosed as chronic hepatitis B infection a few years ago but did not receive any specific treatment. Laboratory data showed acute deterioration of chronic hepatitis B infection. We prescribed lamivudine as a rescue therapy. Her general condition improved and lab data showed improvement in liver function test thereafter. However, she complained of severe skin eruption and itching sensation a few days after the discharge. We stopped lamivudine because the symptoms did not improve despite the use of anti-histamine. Skin biopsy showed interface dermatitis. After stopping lamivudine, her symptoms improved. However, the skin eruption developed again after lamivudine was restarted. Adefovir was used instead, and the patient did not experience any further skin problems since then.

Objectives: To discuss the mechanism by which epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted agents work, the resulting cutaneous toxicities, the pathophysiology of the unique rash associated with these agents, and the management of these skin problems., Data Sources: Published scientific papers, review articles, book chapters, and clinical experiences., Conclusion: These new targeted agents result in unique cutaneous toxicities. Researchers and clinicians have made numerous suggestions for managing the various side effects, although there is currently no research to guide evidence-based practice., Implications for Nursing Practice: With any new treatment option, it is imperative that nurses understand how agents work to enrich their own knowledge base, as well as have a strong foundation for patient education. It is important that nurses understand potential side effects of these agents, know of possible interventions, and participate in research to identify effective interventions.

The side-effects of antiretroviral agents have been widely reported in the literature. Lamivudine is an antiretroviral agent, and skin eruption because of this agent has been rarely reported. Previous reports regarding these few side-effects of lamivudine include angioedema, urticaria, anaflactoid reactions, allergic contact dermatitis and alopecia. There is no report of an ichthyosiform eruption associated with lamivudine. The authors present a case of 43-year-old female patient presenting with an ichthyosiform eruption during lamivudine therapy for chronic hepatitis-B for the first time.

Hydroxyurea is an anti-tumour agent most commonly used to treat chronic myeloproliferative disorders in doses up to 4 g per day. Dermatological adverse effects reported so far have been observed predominantly in these patients. As we are treating selected psoriasis patients with low dose hydroxyurea we attempted to define the spectrum and chronology of dermatological adverse effects in this group of patients prospectively. Of the 29 evaluable patients, 19 (65.5%) developed a mucocutaneous adverse reaction after a mean duration of 6.4 weeks of treatment. Pigmentation of nails, skin or mucosa was the most common observation and was seen in 17 (58.6%) patients. Other less common findings were xerosis, diffuse alopecia, oedema of the legs, oral ulcers and actinic psoriasis. Adverse effects subsided in 11 (57.9%) patients during a mean follow up of 18 weeks. Three hitherto unreported side-effects - scleral pigmentation, acquired ichthyosis and pigmentation of lunula of the nails - were noted. This first study of dermatological adverse effects of hydroxyurea therapy on Asian psoriatic patients reveals several new findings. Pigmentation of skin, nails and mucosa appears to be very common and occurs early. Serious dermatological side-effects probably do not occur with low dose (up to 1.5 g per day) hydroxyurea in patients with psoriasis.

This paper describes the cutaneous side-effects which appeared in 5 patients under Lithium medication for manic-depressive disease: 2 cases with facial and dorsal acne, 1 case with generalized pruritus with burning sensations on the tongue and tumefaction of the lips, 1 case with endogenous generalized psoriasis and 1 case with palmo-plantar hyperkeratosis, ichthyosis and associated with euthyroid goitre. The lithium content of the tissues was assayed by flame spectrophotometry of calcinated biopsy material taken from the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous adipose tissue from 4 of our 5 cases. An experimental investigation was carried out in guinea pigs fed with lithium salts during 6 months. The cation was assayed in samples of epidermis, dermis and perirenal adipose tissue. A study of the accumulation of lithium in epidermal, dermal and adipose tissue is thus added to the studies already published regarding the accumulation of this ion in other tissues.