title: Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus triggered by radiotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The origin of collagen autoimmune diseases is not fully understood. Some studies postulate a mechanism of molecular mimicry or heterologous immunity following viral infections triggering autoimmunity. Apart from infections, other exogenous factors such as visible light or X-rays have been reported to incite autoimmunity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of histologically and serologically confirmed subacute lupus erythematosus (SCLE) following radiotherapy for breast cancer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The close temporal and spatial correlation between radiotherapy and onset of SCLE in this patient suggests that an autoimmune reaction may have been triggered locally by functionally altering the immune system and breaking self-tolerance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kolm
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pawlik
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Eggmann
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kamarachev
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kerl
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: G F L
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Hofbauer
keywords: Autoimmune reaction; Autoimmunity; Lupus erythematosus; Radiotherapy
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