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Updated: May 20, 2026

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Successful desensitization in a case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to vemurafenib
David R Minor1, Robert Rodvien, Mohammed Kashani-Sabet
1Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA. minord@sutterhealth.org
Abstract:
The BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib can cause severe cutaneous reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, particularly when administered after ipilimumab, which usually prevents further drug administration. We report the case of a patient with Stevens-Johnson syndrome due to vemurafenib, who was retreated with vemurafenib with a program of slow desensitization with dexamethasone and diphenhydramine. Vemurafenib was tolerated at a 50% dose after a 3-week desensitization. Desensitization may be possible in patients who develop Stevens-Johnson syndrome after vemurafenib treatment.
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