Photosensitive Rash in Association with Porphyrin Biosynthesis Possibly Induced by Docetaxel and Trastuzumab Therapy in a Patient with Metastatic Breast Carcinoma

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AKAY B. N., Unlu E., Buyukcelik A., Akyol A.

JAPANESE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY, vol.40, no.10, pp.989-991, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 40 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.1093/jjco/hyq085
  • Journal Name: JAPANESE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.989-991
  • Keywords: porphyria, trastuzumab, docetaxel, photosensitive reactions
  • Ankara University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Docetaxel (Taxotere), an anticancer agent, is known to cause various reactions, including hypersensitivity, oedema, skin toxicity with erythrodysesthesia syndrome, infusion site reactions, alopecia, nail onycholysis, nail pigmentation, photosensitivity, scleroderma and stomatitis. However, of all the reported effects, photosensitivity has only rarely been described in the literature. We experienced a case of cutaneous photosensitivity with aberrations in porphyrin biosynthesis that developed 1 month after the patient received combination chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel and trastuzumab. The eruption resolved with sun avoidance and discontinuation of docetaxel therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a photosensitive reaction with enhanced levels of porphyrins during docetaxel therapy.