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Scleroderma-like cutaneous lesions induced by paclitaxel: a case study
I Kupfer1, X Balguerie, P Courville
1Dermatology Department, Rouen University-Hospital Charles Nicolle, 1 rue de Germont, 76031 Rouen Cedex, France.
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|February 13, 2003
Summary
Paclitaxel, a taxane chemotherapy, can cause unique skin hardening known as scleroderma-like changes. This rare adverse event, observed in a patient, highlights a potential side effect of taxane-based cancer treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Paclitaxel is a taxane-class chemotherapy agent used for various advanced cancers.
- Known adverse cutaneous reactions to paclitaxel include bullous fixed drug eruption, onycholysis, and erythema multiforme.
- Scleroderma-like changes have not been previously documented as a side effect of paclitaxel.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old patient developed edematous, infiltrated erythema on the head, neck, axillae, and left hand 10 days after paclitaxel and carboplatin treatment for peritoneal cancer.
- Initial improvement was noted after switching from paclitaxel to cyclophosphamide.
- Lesions recurred upon paclitaxel reintroduction, progressing to cutaneous sclerosis with dermal fibrosis confirmed by biopsy.
Findings:
- This case presents the first documented instance of scleroderma-like changes following paclitaxel administration.
- The patient's condition showed no signs of autoimmunity.
- The observed scleroderma-like syndrome shares similarities with reactions reported after docetaxel, another taxane agent.
Implications:
- Scleroderma-like syndromes may represent a distinct class of cutaneous adverse events associated with taxane chemotherapy.
- Clinicians should be aware of this potential side effect when prescribing paclitaxel or related taxanes.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanism and incidence of taxane-induced scleroderma-like reactions.