ABSTRACT
The use of multiple drugs acting as modulators of the immune system are common among patients with severe autoimmune diseases. In these clinical scenarios, great attention should be placed on diagnosing infective cutaneous disorders that can underly iatrogenic immunosuppression. Here within, we report a rare case of molluscum contagiosum eruption on the face and the scalp during an immunomodulating treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, with clinical and dermatoscopic characterization.
ABSTRACT
AIMS AND BACKGROUND: The advantage of delivering chemotherapy by hepatic arterial infusion is the acquisition of a high concentration of the drug in the target. Irinotecan (CPT-11) is active for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. In phase I studies, doses of 20 mg/m2/d for 5 days given every 4 weeks as continuous infusion or 200 mg/m2 as a short 30-min infusion given every 3 weeks is recommended for phase II studies. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: Twelve patients with a median liver substitution of 30% (20-50%) were enrolled, 6 progressed after a FOLFOX-induced partial response and 6 progressed after 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid. All patients had a surgically (n = 6) or angiographically placed port (n = 6). They received hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with CPT-11 (200 mg/m2) on an out-patient basis, every 3 weeks as a short 30-min infusion for six cycles. RESULTS: Four partial responses were observed (33%) lasting 24, 15, 12 and 8+ weeks, 3 stable disease (25%) lasting more than 12 weeks, and 5 progressions (41%). Six patients (50%) presented a >30% reduction in CEA. Toxicity was G2 diarrhea in 5 patients (41%) and G2 myelosuppression in 6 (50%); one patient had abdominal right upper quadrant pain requiring analgesics. CONCLUSIONS: CPT-11 is active as hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in liver metastases from colorectal cancer and can rescue systemically pretreated patients. Our schedule seems safe, feasible and well accepted on an out-patient basis.
