Elevated protoporphyrin in patients with skin cancer receiving taxane chemotherapy.
BACKGROUND
Docetaxel and paclitaxel are both taxanes used for treatment of various malignant tumors. Only two case reports have described photohypersensitivity induced by docetaxel and paclitaxel in association with porphyrin aberrations.


OBJECTIVE
To examine whether aberrations in the biosynthesis of porphyrins and photohypersensitivity occur among patients receiving taxanes.


METHODS
We examined porphyrin aberrations and photohypersensitivity in 8 patients with skin cancers who received docetaxel or paclitaxel chemotherapy in our department.


RESULTS
Aberrations in erythrocyte protoporphyrin were detected in 4 patients, while no such aberration was detected in the control group. Photohypersensitivity to Ultraviolet B (UVB) was detected in 2 patients; one was related to an elevated synthesis of protoporphyrin but the other was not. Photohypersensitivity to Ultraviolet A (UVA) or visible light was not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Docetaxel and paclitaxel chemotherapy seemed to induce aberrations in porphyrin biosynthesis, although an elevated synthesis of porphyrin did not necessarily cause photohypersensitivity.
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Mai
M
Tokunaga
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Natsuko
N
Iga
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Yuichiro
Y
Endo
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Akihiro
A
Fujisawa
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Miki
M
Tanioka
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Kenji
K
Kabashima
Department of Dermatology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin-Kawara-cho, Sakyo, 606-8507 Kyoto, Japan.
Yoshiki
Y
Miyachi
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006394:Hemangiosarcoma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010145:Paget Disease, Extramammary / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D011524:Protoporphyrins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D043823:Taxoids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011524:Protoporphyrins; D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D017239:Paclitaxel
docetaxel; paclitaxel; protoporphyrin