Eribulin and Confusion: A Previously Unknown Drug Side-Effect
Abu Baker Sheikh1, Abhilash Perisetti2, Nismat Javed3
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
|September 10, 2020
Summary
Eribulin can cause encephalopathy in advanced breast cancer patients. Prompt steroid treatment and drug cessation are key for managing this rare but serious side effect.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Eribulin is an antineoplastic agent for advanced breast cancer.
- Side effects are common, but encephalopathy is rarely reported.
- Mechanisms of eribulin toxicity are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of eribulin-induced encephalopathy.
- To highlight the potential for central nervous system toxicity with eribulin.
- To discuss management strategies for this adverse event.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a middle-aged woman with advanced breast cancer.
- Patient received eribulin treatment.
- Observed development of central nervous system toxicity.
Main Results:
- The patient developed encephalopathy during eribulin treatment.
- Symptoms improved promptly following steroid administration.
- Eribulin's ability to cross the blood-brain barrier is implicated.
Conclusions:
- Eribulin-induced encephalopathy is a diagnosis of exclusion.
- Consider encephalopathy in patients on eribulin with altered mental status.
- Steroids and drug cessation are recommended treatments.
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