Multiple squamous cell carcinomas of the skin after therapy with sorafenib combined with tipifarnib. Arch Dermatol 2008 Jun;144(6):779-82
Date
06/19/2008Pubmed ID
18559769DOI
10.1001/archderm.144.6.779Scopus ID
2-s2.0-45349101568 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 45 CitationsAbstract
BACKGROUND: Keratoacanthomas, as well as an actinic keratosis progressing to squamous cell cancer, have been reported in patients who were treated with sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor known to suppress the actions of Raf kinase and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor.
OBSERVATIONS: We describe a 70-year-old white woman with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who was treated with a combination of sorafenib and tipifarnib (a farnesyltransferase inhibitor). She had no history of skin cancer. However, within 3 months after starting this therapy, she developed 3 erythematous nodules on her legs. Pathologic examination showed deeply invasive, well-differentiated squamous cell carcinomas. The tumors were excised, and sorafenib-tipifarnib treatment was discontinued. No new lesions have developed to date.
CONCLUSIONS: Targeted agents, such as sorafenib and tipifarnib, are increasingly being used in the management of visceral malignant neoplasms. A temporal relationship was observed between the initiation of the targeted treatments and the emergence of these cutaneous cancers. Further study of the mechanisms responsible for the rapid appearance of squamous cell cancers in this setting may provide insights into the pathogenesis of skin tumors.
Author List
Hong DS, Reddy SB, Prieto VG, Wright JJ, Tannir NM, Cohen PR, Diwan AH, Evans HL, Kurzrock RAuthor
Razelle Kurzrock MD Center Associate Director, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAntineoplastic Agents
Benzenesulfonates
Biopsy
Carcinoma, Renal Cell
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Diagnosis, Differential
Drug Therapy, Combination
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Kidney Neoplasms
Niacinamide
Phenylurea Compounds
Pyridines
Quinolones
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Skin Neoplasms