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Drug‐induced cutaneous vasculitis in patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma treated with the novel proteasome inhibitor bortezomib: a possible surrogate marker of response?
Author(s) -
Gerecitano John,
Goy Andre,
Wright John,
MacGregorCortelli Barbara,
Neylon Ellen,
Gonen Mithat,
Esseltine Dixie,
Boral Anthony,
Schenkein David,
Busam Klaus,
TeruyaFeldstein Julie,
Sachs Dana,
O'Connor Owen A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2006.06201.x
Subject(s) - medicine , rash , bortezomib , vasculitis , lymphoma , proteasome inhibitor , dermatology , biopsy , skin biopsy , multiple myeloma , disease
Summary Bortezomib is the first proteasome inhibitor to be approved for use in haematological malignancies. Although a rash has been described as a common adverse event associated with the drug, it has not been well characterised. Based on three phase II studies of bortezomib in patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (140 assessable patients), we identified 26 patients who developed a unique erythematous maculopapular rash during treatment, six of whom underwent cutaneous biopsy. Punch biopsy in six patients revealed a perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate without evidence of lymphoma, consistent with a non‐necrotising cutaneous vasculitis. The combined overall response rate was 41%. The response in the 26 patients who developed a rash was 73%, compared with 33% in patients who did not. The odds ratio for response given the development of a rash was 4·6 (95% CI, 1·7–12·4, P = 0·001). This is the first report to characterise a vasculitic rash associated with bortezomib, and to show a relationship between development of the rash and response to treatment. Unlike classic hypersensitivity type reactions, this vasculitic rash may not necessarily prompt cessation of drug. In fact, the development of an isolated cutaneous vasculitis may portend a better clinical response to bortezomib in some patients.