Severe acne and hyperandrogenemia following dactinomycin.
The etiology of dactinomycin-associated acne has not previously been studied. An 81/2 year old girl with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the left petrous bone was prepubertal at the time of presentation. Treatment according to a current Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study regimen consisted of vincristine, dactinomycin, and cyclophosphamide at 3 to 6 week intervals, as well as hyperfractionated radiotherapy to the tumor bad. Severe acne of the forehead developed within 10 days of starting therapy and resolved over the next 2 months. Serial measurements of serum hormones documented periodic increases in androgen levels coincident with courses of dactinomycin. These observations support a relationship between drug, dermatitis, and hormone levels. Study of other patients will be of interest to document the frequency, degree, and mechanism of hyperandrogenemia following dactinomycin.
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
J
J
Blatt
P A
PA
Lee
D000152:Acne Vulgaris / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D003609:Dactinomycin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000188:drug therapy; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy
D000728:Androgens; D003609:Dactinomycin