Greater allergenicity of topical ketoprofen in contact dermatitis confirmed by use.

The use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is very popular in spite of their doubtful efficacy and high number of generally not serious, but preventable, adverse effects, especially photoallergy. The allergenic potential of different topical NSAIDs was determined by performing a retrospective observational study of the period 1996-2001 and comparing the cases of allergy and photoallergy with the use of each topical NSAID. The diagnoses were obtained from a review of the clinical records of patch/photopatch testing carried out in the dermatology departments of 2 public hospitals in Bizkaia (Spain). The use of the different topical NSAIDs was obtained from invoices sent to the National Health System and the Reporting odds ratio (ROR) and Proportional reporting ratio (PRR) disproportionality estimates of the FEDRA database of the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System. A total of 139 contact reactions to topical NSAIDs were found with ketoprofen being responsible for 28% of the allergies and 82% of the contact photoallergies in spite of not being the most used topical NSAID (third in the ranking, diclofenac was the first). The ROR for ketoprofen was 3.9 (2.4-6.4) and the PRR 3.4 (2.1-5.5), thus confirming the possibility of a warning signal. The results support the need for regulatory action on topical ketoprofen.

Erupción acneiforme por inhibidores del receptor de crecimiento epidérmico / Acneiform eruption from epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

Uno de los objetivos fundamentales de la investigación oncológica es la búsqueda de moléculas con mayor eficacia antitumoral y menor toxicidad que los agentes quimioterápicos habituales. Los inhibidores del receptor de crecimiento epidérmico son un nuevo grupo de fármacos que, por su efecto más específico frente a las células neoplásicas, parecen cumplir estas características. Entre los efectos adversos asociados a su uso, destacan por su frecuencia las erupciones cutáneas, secundarias a un efecto inhibitorio directo del fármaco sobre la homeostasis de la epidermis y del folículo pilosebáceo 1,2. Recientemente se han publicado varios casos de toxicidad cutánea en pacientes tratados con inhibidores del receptor de crecimiento epidérmico. Presentamos 3 casos de erupciones acneiformes atribuibles a diferentes fármacos de esta familia (cetuximab, gefitinib y erlotinib)

One of the fundamental aims of oncological research is the search for molecules with greater efficacy against tumors and less toxicity than the usual chemotherapeutic agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are a new group of drugs which, because of their more specific effect against neoplastic cells, seem to meet these characteristics. Skin eruptions are one of the most frequent adverse effects associated with their use, secondary to the drug's direct inhibitory effect on homeostasis of the epidermis and of the pilosebaceous follicle. Several cases of cutaneous toxicity in patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors have recently been published. We present three cases of acneiform eruptions attributable to different drugs in this family (cetuximab, gefitinib and erlotinib)

[Acneiform eruption from epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors]. / Erupción acneiforme por inhibidores del receptor de crecimiento epidérmico.

One of the fundamental aims of oncological research is the search for molecules with greater efficacy against tumors and less toxicity than the usual chemotherapeutic agents. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are a new group of drugs which, because of their more specific effect against neoplastic cells, seem to meet these characteristics. Skin eruptions are one of the most frequent adverse effects associated with their use, secondary to the drug's direct inhibitory effect on homeostasis of the epidermis and of the pilosebaceous follicle. Several cases of cutaneous toxicity in patients treated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors have recently been published. We present three cases of acneiform eruptions attributable to different drugs in this family (cetuximab, gefitinib and erlotinib).