Imatinib mesylate–induced pseudoporphyria

Posted by rob on June 18, 2010 under Uncategorized | Comments are off for this article

To the Editor: A 63-year-old white woman with a history of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) was referred to our clinic for evaluation of a 19-month history of worsening blistering and skin fragility of her extremities (). A previous biopsy specimen revealed a pauciinflammatory subepidermal split consistent with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) and negative direct immunofluorescence (DIF) with normal serum and urine porphyrin studies. Our biopsy of a characteristic lesion was consistent with PCT, with a negative DIF and repeat porphyrin studies that again were normal. Discontinuation of her thrice weekly naproxen and daily estrogen supplement for 12 weeks did not prevent skin blistering. Imatinib mesylate (IM; Gleevec; Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA) had been used to treat her CML…
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