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The Goeckerman Regimen for the Treatment of Moderate to Severe Psoriasis
Published on: July 11, 2013
Psoriasis induced by cetuximab: a paradoxical adverse effect
Albert Mas-Vidal1, Pablo Coto-Segura, Cristina Galache-Osuna
1Department of Dermatology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain. albert.mas.vidal@gmail.com
The Australasian Journal of Dermatology
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, can surprisingly induce psoriasis. This contradicts expectations, as EGFR is overexpressed in psoriasis and its inhibitors were thought to improve lesions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cetuximab is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor used in chemotherapy.
- EGFR is known to be overexpressed in psoriatic lesions.
- EGFR inhibitors are generally expected to improve, not induce, skin conditions like psoriasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of psoriasis induced by cetuximab treatment.
- To highlight the unexpected adverse dermatological effects of EGFR inhibitors.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a patient treated with cetuximab.
- Clinical observation and diagnosis of induced psoriasis.
Main Results:
- The patient developed psoriasis during cetuximab therapy.
- This represents a paradoxical and adverse reaction to an EGFR inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- Cetuximab can paradoxically induce psoriasis, an unexpected adverse effect.
- The role of EGFR in skin homeostasis is complex and warrants further investigation.