Thiotepa-induced cutaneous toxicity in pediatric patients: Case report and implementation of preventive care
Guy Van Schandevyl1, Tiene Bauters2
11 Department of Hematology and Oncology, Hôpital Universitaire des Enfants Reine Fabiola, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Insights
High-dose thiotepa can cause skin toxicity in pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplantation. Implementing preventive care guidelines significantly reduced the incidence and severity of thiotepa toxidermia.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Thiotepa is a lipophilic alkylating agent used in high-dose conditioning regimens before autologous stem cell transplantation.
- Potential excretion of thiotepa or its metabolites via the skin suggests a risk of cutaneous toxicity.
Observation:
- A case of severe thiotepa toxidermia was observed in a pediatric patient with medulloblastoma treated with high-dose thiotepa.
- The skin lesions were characteristic of drug-induced toxicity, prompting a review of management strategies.
Findings:
- Implementation of preventive care guidelines in 2014 led to a significant reduction in cutaneous toxicity.
- In a retrospective follow-up of 26 pediatric patients, only one experienced toxicity after guideline implementation, with subsequent cases showing only mild reactions.
Implications:
- Preventive skin care measures are crucial for minimizing thiotepa-induced cutaneous toxicity in pediatric patients.
- Updating the Summary of Product Characteristics with clear preventive instructions is recommended to enhance patient safety.
Abstract:
Thiotepa, a highly lipophilic, alkylating agent, and/or its active metabolites may be excreted in part via skin in patients receiving high-dose therapy. We present a case of cutaneous toxicity observed in a 4.5-year-old girl patient with medulloblastoma treated with a high-dose thiotepa conditioning regimen before autologous stem cell transplantation. Skin lesions, as well as their pattern and locations, were evocative of thiotepa toxidermia. After the case herein described, preventive care guidelines were implemented in our unit as from 2014. A retrospective follow-up of 26 pediatric patients receiving thiotepa prior to stem cell transplantation was performed until March 2018. In this series of patients, only one patient experienced cutaneous toxicity as reported herein. Thereafter, only mild cutaneous toxicity was observed, even with double or triple transplantation protocols with high-dose thiotepa. Clear preventive care instructions should be detailed in the Summary of Product Characteristics in order to minimize the cutaneous toxicity of thiotepa.
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