Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Quantifying Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity in a Tumor Spheroid Model: Application for Drug Discovery
Published on: April 26, 2024
Blackberry-induced hand-foot skin reaction to sunitinib
Susan L Boone1, Gayle Jameson, Daniel Von Hoff
1Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Abstract:
Sunitinib is an orally administered small molecule that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in January 2006 as monotherapy for the treatment of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor after disease progression on or intolerance to imatinib mesylate. Data pooled from multiple sunitinib dose-escalation trials showed that sunitinib is associated with various adverse events, with HFSR occurring in up to 20% of patients. We describe a 48-year-old woman with a history of metastatic colorectal cancer treated with single-agent sunitinib who developed pain and tenderness in areas of friction secondary to Blackberry use, and was diagnosed with trauma-induced hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) secondary to sunitinib therapy.
Insights
Sunitinib can cause hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), a painful condition. This case highlights trauma-induced HFSR in a patient treated with sunitinib for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sunitinib is an FDA-approved oral small molecule for advanced renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors.
- Adverse events are common with sunitinib, including hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) in up to 20% of patients.
Observation:
- A 48-year-old woman with metastatic colorectal cancer was treated with sunitinib.
- She developed pain and tenderness in friction-prone areas of her hands due to Blackberry use.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with trauma-induced hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR).
- This reaction was directly linked to sunitinib therapy.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for sunitinib to induce HFSR, even in trauma-induced scenarios.
- Awareness of this side effect is crucial for managing patients on sunitinib therapy.
- Early recognition and management of HFSR can improve patient quality of life during cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Toxicity: Allergic Reactions
Drug toxicity: Idiosyncratic Reactions
Diabetic Foot Ulcer
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Cytolytic Reactions
Allergic Drug Reactions
