Clinico-morphological features of braf inhibition-induced proliferative skin lesions in cancer patients Journal Article


Authors: Belum, V. R.; Rosen, A. C.; Jaimes, N.; Dranitsaris, G.; Pulitzer, M. P.; Busam, K. J.; Marghoob, A. A.; Carvajal, R. D.; Chapman, P. B.; Lacouture, M. E.
Article Title: Clinico-morphological features of braf inhibition-induced proliferative skin lesions in cancer patients
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The use of BRAF inhibitors may lead to the development of cutaneous toxicities such as rashes, photosensi-tivity, alopecia, palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia, and proliferative skin lesions, including keratoacanthomas (KAs) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cuSCCs). The latter are noteworthy for their potential to exhibit malignant features, and they may necessitate invasive treatment. Their prompt identification is of primary importance for directing supportive care efforts and maintaining dose intensity while minimizing the morbidity associated with supportive care interventions. Because such lesions are less familiar to oncologists, this study was designed to characterize their clinico-morphological features, which have not been hitherto described. METHODS: The clinical and dermoscopic characteristics and risk factors of new-onset proliferative skin lesions (benign verrucous lesions and KAs/cuSCCs) developing after the initiation of treatment with vemurafenib, dabrafenib, and XL281 were analyzed; the histopathological diagnoses were ascertained. RESULTS: The majority of the lesions were benign verrucous lesions (78%, n587), whereas KAs/cuSCCs represented 22% (n525). The median times to biopsy for the initial verrucous lesions and KAs/cuSCCs were 4.8 and 10.5 weeks, respectively. The clinico-morphological features significant for KAs/cuSCCs included a larger size (P<.001), a nodular appearance (P<.001), a central keratin plug (P<.001), a central ulceration or crust (P5.04), an adherent scale (P5.02), an erythematous halo (P5.03), and a scaly ring (collarette; P<.001) at the periphery. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings represent the first detailed description of the clinico-morphological characteristics that permit distinction between the benign and malignant skin lesions induced by BRAF inhibitors. They are valuable for the recognition of lesions that require intervention and/or a dermatology referral versus those that permit provisional monitoring.
Keywords: squamous cell carcinoma; skin neoplasms; risk factors; braf; keratoacanthoma; vemurafenib; dabrafenib; verrucous lesion; xl281
Journal Title: Cancer
Volume: 121
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0008-543X
Publisher: Wiley Blackwell  
Date Published: 2015-01-01
Start Page: 60
End Page: 68
Language: English
DOI: 10.1002/cncr.28980
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25186461
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 2 January 2015 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Mario E Lacouture
    457 Lacouture
  2. Melissa P Pulitzer
    203 Pulitzer
  3. Richard D Carvajal
    148 Carvajal
  4. Ashfaq A Marghoob
    534 Marghoob
  5. Paul Chapman
    326 Chapman
  6. Klaus J Busam
    688 Busam
  7. Alyx C Rosen
    20 Rosen
  8. Viswanath Reddy Belum
    38 Belum