Dermatological complications following initiation of lenalidomide in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

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BlankDermatological complications following initiation of lenalidomide in a

patient with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

N Tageja, T Giorgadze, and J Zonder

Intern Med J, March 1, 2011; 41(3): 286-8.

Departments of Internal Medicine Pathology, Wayne State University/DMC Division

of Hematology/Oncology, Wayne State University/Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer

Institute, Detroit, Michigan, USA.

Off-label use of lenalidomide (Len) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is

becoming increasingly frequent. When compared with thalidomide, Len has been

reported to have more potent anti-tumour activity and a better safety profile.

However, dermatological side-effects are known to occur with both drugs.

Clinical trial design often precludes precise quantification of infrequent

toxicities and studies frequently report only grade 3-4 toxicities without a

detailed description of rashes, leading to under-recognition of these

complications in the community. Careful long-term tracking of late adverse

effects with prompt reporting on recognition is imperative while monitoring

patients for potential adverse events as we enter the new era of targeted

therapies. We present an unusual case of CLL that was complicated by erythema

annulare centrifugum and neutrophilic dermatosis (Sweet's syndrome) after

starting Len.

PMID: 21426467