title: Grover's disease induced by cetuximab.
abstract: A 71-year-old man exhibited an acute acneiform rash affecting the face and the upper trunk about 2 weeks after starting cetuximab, an epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor antagonist treatment for metastatic colon cancer. The skin eruption faded after stopping cetuximab and applying topical corticosteroids. The reexposure to cetuximab 3 weeks later provoked a more extended relapse of the skin rash, which then clinically and histologically corresponded to transient acantholytic dermatosis . While the acneiform cutaneous side effects of the EGF receptor antagonists are interpreted as a result of the direct interference with pilosebaceous follicle homeostasis, in this case an acrosyringium-related pathogenesis might be postulated. Applying topical corticosteroids and emollients, the cetuximab therapy could be pursued.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Berne, Berne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Tscharner
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bühler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borner
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hunziker
mesh_terms: D017486:Acneiform Eruptions / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068818:Cetuximab; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D000068818:Cetuximab