Images in Clinical Medicine
Cetuximab-Associated Acneiform Eruption
N Engl J Med 2005; 353:e17November 10, 2005
- Article
A 48-year-old man who has metastatic colon cancer was treated with intravenous fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and cetuximab, which is a monoclonal antibody to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). He had a major objective response of 11 months' duration and remains alive as of 14 months after treatment. An acneiform eruption consisting of sterile papules and pustules with an adherent yellow crust developed on his face, chest, and back (Panel A). This rash is a characteristic effect of therapy with EGFR inhibitors and is associated with an improved outcome. After gentle débridement of the crust, the right half of his face was treated with a cream containing 0.2 percent hydrocortisone valerate and the left half was treated with a cream containing 0.1 percent tazarotene. One week later, there was greater improvement on the right side of his face (Panel B), suggesting that the use of antiinflammatory agents may prove to be an effective treatment for the skin toxicity associated with this class of therapeutic agent.
Jeremy E. Moss, M.D., Ph.D.
Barbara Burtness, M.D.
Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8032- Citing Articles (3)
Citing Articles
1
Lisa A. Hammond-Thelin. (2008) Cutaneous Reactions Related to Systemic Immunomodulators and Targeted Therapeutics. Dermatologic Clinics 26:1, 121-159
CrossRef2
B. MELICHAR, I. NĚMCOVÁ. (2007) Eye complications of cetuximab therapy. European Journal of Cancer Care 16:5, 439-443
CrossRef3
(2006) Current awareness: Pharmacoepidemiology and drug safety. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 15:5, i-xii
CrossRef
