Vemurafenib-induced bilateral facial palsy.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Vemurafenib in August 2011, for treatment of melanoma with BRAF V600 mutation. It has shown improvement in the median overall survival of melanoma patients. The most common adverse effects of vermurafenib are arthralgia, rash, alopecia, photosensitivity and fatigue. Other infrequent and severe adverse reactions reported in patients include keratocanthomas, hypersensitivity, Stevens Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, uveitis, QT prolongation, and hepatotoxicity. We hereby present a case of bilateral facial palsy as an adverse effect of vemurafenib therapy, seen after six weeks of commencement of the drug. Complete resolution of the symptoms was seen when the patient was taken off vemurafenib.
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
F N U
FN
Shailesh
M
M
Singh
U
U
Tiwari
L F
LF
Hutchins
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009154:Mutation; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000188:drug therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000077484:Vemurafenib
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007211:Indoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077484:Vemurafenib; C482119:BRAF protein, human; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D011241:Prednisone