title: Desensitization to thalidomide in a patient with multiple myeloma.
abstract: Cutaneous reactions to thalidomide have been noted in approximately 46% of patients treated with this drug. We describe a case of a 65-year-old woman with multiple myeloma who developed fever and a generalized, itchy maculopapular rash after a 2-day treatment with thalidomide 100 mg orally. Skin prick and patch test results with thalidomide were negative, while the oral provocation test results were positive. Because thalidomide was necessary for the patient, she underwent an oral desensitization protocol, and on the fifth day, she could tolerate 100 mg of oral thalidomide. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the literature regarding this topic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nucera
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schiavino
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hohaus
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buonomo
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lombardo
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Patriarca
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic / Q000379:methods; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013792:Thalidomide