Dermatologic adverse effects of lenalidomide therapy for amyloidosis and multiple myeloma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine dermatologic adverse effects of lenalidomide in patients with amyloidosis and multiple myeloma and to determine whether the adverse effects are different when lenalidomide is used alone compared with when it is used in combination with dexamethasone.


METHODS
Retrospective review of medical records.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
Seventy-five patients with multiple myeloma and 23 patients with amyloidosis participating in clinical trials.


METHODS
In the 75 patients with multiple myeloma, lenalidomide was the treatment in 24 and lenalidomide and dexamethasone in 51. In the 23 patients with amyloidosis, lenalidomide was used alone.


METHODS
The frequency, type, severity, and time of onset of all skin eruptions that were temporally related to lenalidomide treatment were recorded.


RESULTS
In the patients with amyloidosis treated with lenalidomide, 10 (43%) had rashes. In the patients with multiple myeloma, rashes occurred in 7 (29%) of those receiving lenalidomide alone and in 15 (29%) of those receiving lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The rashes were characterized as morbilliform, urticarial, dermatitic, acneiform, and undefined. Severe rashes required permanent discontinuation of lenalidomide therapy in 2 patients. In 23 patients (72%), rashes occurred in the first month after therapy was initiated; however, delayed-onset rashes occurred in 9 (28%).


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dermatologic adverse effects in patients receiving lenalidomide was higher in those with amyloidosis than in those with multiple myeloma. The prevalence of skin eruptions was not diminished by the concurrent use of systemic corticosteroids. Most skin eruptions were mild and did not necessitate withdrawal of lenalidomide therapy.
Sviggum
Hans P
HP
Mayo Medical School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Davis
Mark D P
MD
Rajkumar
S Vincent
SV
Dispenzieri
Angela
A
D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008499:Medical Records; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D013792:Thalidomide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000077269:Lenalidomide