A Commentary on the “Duration of Oral Antibiotics Administration for Cetuximab-Induced Acneiform Eruption”

Acneiform eruption is a devastating cutaneous side effect of cetuximab, a monoclonal antibody used to treat a variety of cancers. Despite its effectiveness, many patients avoid or discontinue it after experiencing its dermatological side effects as it negatively impacts their quality of life (QoL). This displays the immense need for multidisciplinary collaboration to prevent and treat cetuximab-induced acneiform eruption (CIAE). Prevention methods include, but are not limited to, education, skin care routines, and prophylactic drugs. The following measures reduce the likelihood of developing CIAE and decrease its severity, making it easier to treat if it were to occur. Ongoing research on the treatment of CIAE continues. Of these treatments, oral tetracyclines and systemic corticosteroids have been shown to be the most effective by far. This commentary aims to evaluate the study by Park et al. [Dermatology. 2021;237(3):457–63], further elaborate on prevention and treatment measures of CIAE, and highlight the implications of CIAE on a patient’s QoL.

Apatinib-Induced Hand–Foot Skin Reaction in Chinese Patients With Liver Cancer

Apatinib, an anti-tumor drug selectively targeting VEGFR2 (Vascular Endothelia Growth Factor Recpetor-2), has been proven effective in Chinese patients with liver cancer. Generally, treatment with apatinib achieves 16.1% of the overall objective remission rate (ORR) and 55.83% of the disease control rate (DCR) in Chinese patients with liver cancer. However, the prevalence of apatinib-induced hand–foot skin reaction (AI-HFSR) is noticeably high. The incidence of AI-HFSR is about 50.5%, of which Grades 1/2 and 3 are 38.8 and 11.6%, respectively. In addition, potential molecular mechanisms underlying the development of AI-HFSR are poorly understood and urgently needed to be investigated histologically. In this review, we summarize and review the current efficacy of apatinib and the prevalence of AI-HFSR in Chinese patients with liver cancer. Besides, we postulate the potential mechanisms underlying the development of AI-HFSR and discuss the optimal clinical management for this unwanted cutaneous side effect.

Osteoma Cutis of the Scalp in a Case of Multiple Basal Cell Carcinoma Induced by Radiotherapy

Introduction: Multiple osteoma cutis is a rare skin disorder characterized by tiny bone fragments deposition in the skin. It is a benign disease, which occurs as primary or secondary forms. Secondary osteoma cutis most commonly appears on the facial acne scars in middleaged women. The exact etiology of this phenomenon is unknown, but it may be induced by osteoblastic metaplasia of mesenchymal elements. Case Presentation: Herein, we report a 70-year-old man with a history of multiple basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the scalp caused by radiotherapy, who referred to our tumor clinic with multiple skin-colored subcutaneous papules and nodules on his scalp from 2 years ago along with cutaneous side effect changes of radiodermatitis. In the histological examination of lesions with differential diagnosis of BCC, cysts, and adnexal tumors, the diagnosis of osteoma cutis was established without any evidence of BCC. Conclusion: Osteoma cutis is a rare disorder most commonly affecting the face, but our patient had multiple lesions of the scalp. The inflammatory changes of radiodermatitis may be the principal cause of this change.

Cutaneous Side Effect of Hydroxurea in a Sickle Cell Anaemia Child-A Case Report

Background: Hydroxyurea (HU) has redefined the quality of life of children with sickle cell anaemia and their care givers. Despite the acclaimed benefits of HU, the drug could be associated with variable side effects affecting different systems in the human body, including the skin and integuments. The aim of this report is to raise the awareness about the less common side effects of HU. Case Report: A 5-year 8 months old homozygous sickle cell anaemia child presented with pruritic hyperpigmented lesions on the trunk, arms and the legs, four weeks after commencement of HU. HU was initially discontinued for two weeks and thereafter recommenced with a different brand but there was worsening skin lesions despite at a daily low dose of 10 mg/kg. The rashes eventually resolved with low dose once in 3 days HU therapy. She had recurrent episodes of acute painful crisis; average of three [3] episodes per year warranted hospital admission prior to commencement, but with HU therapy, there has been significant improvement in the crisis. Discussion: Cutaneous lesions are uncommon side effect of hydroxyurea. This side effect is dependent on genetic predisposition and photosensitivity. However, with the established benefit of HU in the management sickle cell anaemia, it is important for the sickle cell experts to continue to monitor closely the children for both the common and rare side effects and to individualize therapy to ensure maximal benefit with minimal or no side effects.

Development of folliculitis in a patient with recalcitrant pustular psoriasis following acitretin treatment: A case report

Oral retinoids are among the drugs of choice for pustular psoriasis. Therapy with retinoids, including acitretin, is potent teratogens with other common side effects such as mucocutaneous involvement. Mucocutaneous side effects including dry lips (cheilitis), skin peeling, hair loss (alopecia), dry skin, or rhinitis are dose-related, with cheilitis occurring in more than 75% of patients receiving the highest doses of acitretin (75 mg/day). We report on a 37-year-old woman who developed folliculitis with acitretin which is a rare cutaneous side effect. She presented with eruptions pruritic papules with follicular pattern on anterior thigh and forearms after almost 1 year of treatment with acitretin (50mg OD) for pustular psoriasis. The skin lesion was treated successfully with skin dressing and antibiotic treatment and skin biopsy is suggestive of folliculitis. Several treatments for pustular psoriasis including topical steroids, methotrexate and oral prednisolone were ineffective or not tolerated. Treatment with acitretin which are 50mg OD provided partial resolution of skin lesions. The case is hereby reported because of its rarity and folliculitis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of a popular eruption, especially in patients with high dose acitretin.

Trichoscopic Findings of Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp Associated with Gefitinib

Alopecia associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor therapy is a rare cutaneous side effect with the potential to progress to scarring alopecia. Thus, dermatologists should make an early diagnosis. We present the case of a 57-year-old Japanese female with scarring alopecia associated with gefitinib, which is an EGFR inhibitor, including trichoscopic findings. The patient treated with gefitinib for non-small cell lung cancer experienced skin rash and hair loss of the scalp. The scalp lesions appeared similar to erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp. Trichoscopic examination showed follicular keratotic plugging, milky red areas, white patches, hair shaft disorder, tapering hair, and absence of follicular opening. Histological examination showed ruptured hair follicles with a perifollicular infiltration of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and histiocytes. Oral minocycline and topical steroid treatment produced no improvement. With a reduction in the gefitinib dosage, alopecia gradually improved, although scarring remained. We consider these trichoscopic findings and suspect that follicular keratotic plugging might be a finding associated with scarring alopecia due to EGFR inhibitor therapy.

Docetaxel-Induced Systemic Sclerosis with Internal Organ Involvement Masquerading as Congestive Heart Failure

Systemic sclerosis, or scleroderma, is a complex medical disorder characterized by limited or diffuse skin thickening with frequent involvement of internal organs such as lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or kidneys. Docetaxel is a chemotherapeutic agent which has been associated with cutaneous side effects. An uncommon cutaneous side effect of docetaxel is scleroderma-like skin changes that extend from limited to diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis. Several case reports have been published regarding the association of docetaxel and systemic sclerosis. However, those reports demonstrated the association between docetaxel and scleroderma-like skin changes without internal organ involvement. Here, we report a case of systemic sclerosis with pulmonary arterial hypertension and a microangiopathic kidney involvement induced by docetaxel chemotherapy. After an exhaustive literature review, this could be the first case of docetaxel-induced systemic sclerosis involving internal organs.