Overcoming recurrent cutaneous reactions from imatinib using once-weekly dosing.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of once-weekly imatinib in a patient who developed recurrent cutaneous reactions associated with imatinib.


METHODS
A 65-year-old Asian woman received investigational treatment with imatinib 300 mg/d as maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Exfoliative dermatitis developed after 3 weeks of administration. Attempts to resume imatinib at lower dosages, with or without a low-dose corticosteroid, resulted in recurrent reactions. Once-weekly administration of imatinib, however, produced a tolerable, less severe reaction. After the woman had experienced exfoliative dermatitis for 4 months, the reaction subsided and disappeared.


CONCLUSIONS
Once-weekly administration of imatinib allowed imatinib therapy to continue, and this dosing schedule appeared safe. Patients with severe cutaneous reactions who need to continue imatinib may benefit from this strategy, along with lowering of the dosage and premedication with a corticosteroid.


CONCLUSIONS
In a patient with recurrent cutaneous reactions due to imatinib, a once-weekly dosing schedule was safe, well tolerated, and associated with eventual disappearance of the reaction.
Tanvetyanon
Tawee
T
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA. ttanve@lumc.edu
Nand
Sucha
S
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D001549:Benzamides; D003873:Dermatitis, Exfoliative / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate