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Published on: March 9, 2015
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.
Background:
Hair pigmentation is regulated by several factors including the interaction of the ligand stem cell factor (SCF) with its class III receptor tyrosine kinase, c-kit. An interruption of SCF/c-kit signal transduction results in hair depigmentation.
Observations:
A 69-year-old white woman developed hair depigmentation and fine-textured hair while being treated with the phase I chemotherapeutic agent GW786034, a class III/V receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Discontinuation of therapy resulted in a reversal of these hair changes.
Conclusions:
Treatment with oral GW786034 resulted in reversible hair depigmentation and change in hair growth rate and texture, which were most likely due to an incomplete inhibition of SCF/c-kit signaling, although the exact mechanism is unknown. It would be intriguing to investigate topical tyrosine kinase inhibitors as a treatment for unwanted body hair.
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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