Ponatinib-induced eruptive nevi and melanocytic proliferation

Ponatinib, an oral third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is indicated for the treatment of imatinib-resistant leukemia. We experienced a case of ponatinib-induced eruptive nevi, and the biologic effects of ponatinib on melanocytes were investigated. Treatment with ponatinib significantly increased the proliferation of normal human melanocyte or melanoma cells through the upregulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The downstream molecules of cyclin B1 and D1 were significantly increased in ponatinib-treated melanocytes. These results demonstrate the capacity of ponatinib to induce the proliferation and tumorigenesis of melanocytes.