Temozolomide-induced desquamative skin rash in a patient with metastatic melanoma. 2008

Amy M Pick, and William J Neff, and Kelly K Nystrom
Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68114, USA.

Temozolomide is an oral alkylating agent used in the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Commonly reported adverse effects of the drug include nausea and vomiting, constipation, headache, and fatigue, as well as myelosuppression, which may be dose limiting. Few reports have described dermatologic adverse effects such as rash and pruritus, and, to our knowledge, none have discussed the seriousness or extensiveness of the rash. We describe a 37-year-old woman who was receiving temozolomide for treatment of metastatic melanoma. After 6 weeks of therapy, the patient developed an unexplained fever. The drug was discontinued, and the fever resolved within 2 days. Temozolomide was restarted 2 months later; the patient again developed a fever. This time the fever was accompanied by a diffuse erythematous skin rash that progressed to an extensive, full-body, desquamative skin rash. The rash was treated with moisturizing cream along with intravenous and topical corticosteroids and antibiotics. Due to the severity of the rash, temozolomide was permanently discontinued. Even after its discontinuation, the patient experienced the rash on a long-term basis, with periodic exacerbations. However, none were as severe as the first rash. The patient's metastatic disease remained stable for the next 2 years. According to the Naranjo adverse drug reaction probability scale, the likelihood that temozolomide was responsible for the adverse drug reaction of fever was probable (score of 6). Clinicians should be aware that an erythematous and exfoliative rash may be induced by temozolomide, and be familiar with the pharmacologic and supportive measures necessary for its treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008545 Melanoma A malignant neoplasm derived from cells that are capable of forming melanin, which may occur in the skin of any part of the body, in the eye, or, rarely, in the mucous membranes of the genitalia, anus, oral cavity, or other sites. It occurs mostly in adults and may originate de novo or from a pigmented nevus or malignant lentigo. Melanomas frequently metastasize widely, and the regional lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and brain are likely to be involved. The incidence of malignant skin melanomas is rising rapidly in all parts of the world. (Stedman, 25th ed; from Rook et al., Textbook of Dermatology, 4th ed, p2445) Malignant Melanoma,Malignant Melanomas,Melanoma, Malignant,Melanomas,Melanomas, Malignant
D003606 Dacarbazine An antineoplastic agent. It has significant activity against melanomas. (from Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 31st ed, p564) DTIC,5-(3,3-Dimethyl-1-triazeno)imidazole-4-carboxamide,Biocarbazine,DIC,DTIC-Dome,Decarbazine,Deticene,Dimethyl Imidazole Carboxamide,Dimethyl Triazeno Imidazole Carboxamide,ICDT,NSC-45388,Carboxamide, Dimethyl Imidazole,DTIC Dome,DTICDome,Imidazole Carboxamide, Dimethyl,NSC 45388,NSC45388
D003875 Drug Eruptions Adverse cutaneous reactions caused by ingestion, parenteral use, or local application of a drug. These may assume various morphologic patterns and produce various types of lesions. Dermatitis Medicamentosa,Dermatitis, Adverse Drug Reaction,Maculopapular Drug Eruption,Maculopapular Exanthem,Morbilliform Drug Reaction,Morbilliform Exanthem,Drug Eruption,Drug Eruption, Maculopapular,Drug Eruptions, Maculopapular,Drug Reaction, Morbilliform,Drug Reactions, Morbilliform,Eruption, Drug,Eruption, Maculopapular Drug,Eruptions, Drug,Eruptions, Maculopapular Drug,Exanthem, Maculopapular,Exanthem, Morbilliform,Exanthems, Maculopapular,Exanthems, Morbilliform,Maculopapular Drug Eruptions,Maculopapular Exanthems,Morbilliform Drug Reactions,Morbilliform Exanthems,Reaction, Morbilliform Drug,Reactions, Morbilliform Drug
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000077204 Temozolomide A dacarbazine derivative that is used as an alkylating antineoplastic agent for the treatment of MALIGNANT GLIOMA and MALIGNANT MELANOMA. 8-Carbamoyl-3-methylimidazo(5,1-d)-1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4(3H)-one,CCRG 81045,CCRG-81045,M&B 39831,M&B-39831,Methazolastone,NSC 362856,NSC-362856,TMZ-Bioshuttle,TMZA-HE,Temodal,Temodar,Temozolomide Hexyl Ester,CCRG81045,M&B39831,NSC362856,TMZ Bioshuttle
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D012878 Skin Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the SKIN. Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm
D018906 Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating A class of drugs that differs from other alkylating agents used clinically in that they are monofunctional and thus unable to cross-link cellular macromolecules. Among their common properties are a requirement for metabolic activation to intermediates with antitumor efficacy and the presence in their chemical structures of N-methyl groups, that after metabolism, can covalently modify cellular DNA. The precise mechanisms by which each of these drugs acts to kill tumor cells are not completely understood. (From AMA, Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p2026) Alkylating Agents, Antineoplastic,Alkylating Antineoplastic Agents,Alkylating Antineoplastic Drugs,Alkylating Antineoplastics,Alkylating Drugs, Antineoplastic,Antineoplastic Alkylating Agents,Antineoplastic Drugs, Alkylating,Antineoplastics, Alkylating,Antineoplastic Alkylating Drugs,Drugs, Antineoplastic Alkylating

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