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Nail disorders in a woman treated with ixabepilone for metastatic breast cancer

Andrea Alimonti1, Chiara Nardoni, Paola Papaldo

  • 1Division of Medical Oncology A, Regina Elena Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy. alimonta@mskcc.org

Anticancer Research
|August 17, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Ixabepilone, a novel microtubule-stabilizing agent, shows anticancer activity. This report details a rare case of nail disorders, specifically onycholysis and subungual hemorrhagic bullas, associated with ixabepilone treatment in a breast cancer patient.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Ixabepilone (Ix) is a potent epothilone agent with demonstrated anticancer activity, including in paclitaxel-resistant models.
  • Its known toxicities include myelosuppression, neuropathy, and neutropenia, with other minor side effects reported.
  • No prior evidence linked Ixabepilone to nail disorders.

Observation:

  • A 59-year-old woman received Ixabepilone at 40 mg/m2 every 21 days.
  • After eight cycles of therapy, the patient developed significant nail abnormalities.

Findings:

  • The patient presented with onycholysis (nail separation) and subungual hemorrhagic bullas (blood blisters under the nails).
  • These findings represent a previously undocumented adverse effect of Ixabepilone therapy.

Implications:

  • This case highlights the potential for Ixabepilone to cause unique nail toxicities.
  • Awareness of these Ixabepilone-induced nail changes is crucial for early detection and management in clinical practice.
  • Further research may be warranted to elucidate the mechanism of Ixabepilone-related nail disorders.

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