Hair depigmentation during chemotherapy with a class III/V receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor

Shannon Routhouska1, Anita C Gilliam, Paradi Mirmirani

  • 1Department of Dermatology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

Archives of Dermatology
|November 23, 2006
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A patient experienced reversible hair depigmentation and texture changes while on GW786034, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. This suggests incomplete inhibition of stem cell factor/c-kit signaling impacts hair pigmentation.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Hair pigmentation relies on stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor, c-kit.
  • Disruption of SCF/c-kit signaling leads to hair depigmentation.

Observation:

  • A 69-year-old woman developed hair depigmentation and fine texture during GW786034 treatment.
  • GW786034 is an oral phase I chemotherapeutic agent and a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Findings:

  • Oral GW786034 caused reversible hair depigmentation and altered hair growth rate and texture.
  • These changes were likely due to incomplete inhibition of SCF/c-kit signaling.

Implications:

  • Tyrosine kinase inhibitors can affect hair pigmentation and texture.
  • Topical tyrosine kinase inhibitors warrant investigation for treating unwanted body hair.

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