Korean J Dermatol.  2003 Oct;41(10):1291-1296.

A Clinical and Histopathological Study of Drug Eruptions Caused by STI571

• Oh CS
• Park HJ
• Lee JY
• Cho BK
• Kim DW
• Kim CC

Abstract

BACKGROUND
STI571, which is a selective inhibitor of the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, is a promising new drug for the treatment of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. But it has been noted that this drug is frequently associated with an adverse cutaneous reaction. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to find the clinical and histopathological characteristics of drug eruptions caused by STI571. METHOD: We reviewed the clinical records of 10 patients diagnosed as drug erupions caused by STI571. RESULT: The mean age was 36.4 years and it was observed predominantly in females as the sex ratio of 7: 3. The most common clinical type was exanthematous eruption(70%), and followed by erythema multiforme-like eruption(20%), urticarial eruption(10%). In most cases(90%), the distribution was generalized, which involved trunk and extremities. The mean latent period was 17.1 days and peak incidence(70%) was noted between 1 and 2 weeks. Commonly associated adverse effects included fever(60%) and diarrhea(30%). Histopathologically, common findings included perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration(100%), eosinophil(80%), exocytosis(80%). CONCLUSION: Because drug eruptions caused by STI571 are dose-related and develop with a high frequency, we need a careful monitoring of patients who are treated with STI571, especially with a high dose.

Keyword

STI571; Drug euption

MeSH Terms

Drug Eruptions*
Erythema
Extremities
Female
Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
Humans
Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive
Sex Ratio
Imatinib Mesylate
Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl