Premium
Trastuzumab/docetaxel‐induced nail dystrophy
Author(s) -
Alexandrescu Doru T.,
Vaillant Juan,
Wiernik Peter H.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.677
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-4632
pISSN - 0011-9059
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2006.02731.x
Subject(s) - onycholysis , medicine , docetaxel , trastuzumab , dermatology , metastatic breast cancer , lapatinib , nail disease , oncology , nail (fastener) , chemotherapy , adjuvant , breast cancer , cancer , paronychia , materials science , metallurgy
Combination of trastuzumab, an antibody directed against the Her‐2/neu receptor, with chemotherapy is increasingly used for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, and currently is being explored in the adjuvant setting. We report the case of a 55‐year‐old woman with metastatic breast cancer, who developed nail dystrophic changes comprising Beau's lines, subungual hyperkeratosis, dyschromia and onycholysis early in the treatment with trastuzumab/docetaxel. Nail alterations advanced with the continuation of therapy. This combination of nail changes, and its progressive course, are extremely rarely encountered with the use of taxanes alone. The cellular mechanisms of action of trastuzumab and docetaxel are discussed in regards to their potential synergy, which may explain the particularities and severity of nail alterations in this patient.