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Dose-related cutaneous toxicities with etoposide
C P Murphy1, E A Harden, R H Herzig
1Department of Pharmacy, Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, VA 23601.
Cancer
|May 15, 1993
Summary
High-dose etoposide (etoposide) therapy can cause significant skin side effects, including painful redness and peeling, especially at doses of 4200 mg/m2. These toxicities, while not dose-limiting, warrant attention in intensive treatment regimens.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cutaneous toxicities are common with high-dose chemotherapy agents.
- Etoposide (etoposide) is increasingly used in dose-intensive regimens.
- This has led to a rise in observed skin toxicities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between etoposide dosage and the frequency of cutaneous toxicities.
- To identify specific dose thresholds associated with increased skin adverse events.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 145 patients.
- Evaluation of etoposide doses ranging from standard to high-intensity.
- Statistical comparison of toxicity rates across different dose groups.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant increase in skin toxicities was observed at etoposide doses of 2400 mg/m2 and 4200 mg/m2 compared to 1800 mg/m2.
- High-dose etoposide (4200 mg/m2) resulted in intense palmar erythema with bullae and desquamation.
- Corticosteroids effectively managed these severe skin reactions.
Conclusions:
- Dose-related skin toxicities are a notable side effect of high-dose etoposide.
- These toxicities, though not dose-limiting, can impact patient treatment and quality of life.
- Awareness and management strategies are crucial for patients receiving intensive etoposide therapy.