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.

Investigational New Drugs
|November 11, 2008
PubMed

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.

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