Resumen de Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus Induced by Chemotherapy: Gemcitabine as a Causative Agent

Lauren E. Wiznia, Antonio Subtil, Jennifer N. Choi

• Importance Several chemotherapeutic agents have been reported to induce subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE). To our knowledge, this is the first report to date of SCLE induced by monotherapeutic gemcitabine hydrochloride and includes a comprehensive review of all published cases of chemotherapeutic drug-induced SCLE.

  Observations We describe a patient who developed a SCLE–like eruption after being administered gemcitabine and discuss 16 other published cases of chemotherapeutic drug–induced SCLE.

  Conclusions and Relevance This case and a review of the literature call attention to gemcitabine and other chemotherapeutic agents that have been reported to cause drug-induced SCLE. We also discuss the clinical features of the disease.

  Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is a subset of cutaneous lupus erythematosus that was first described in 1979 by Sontheimer et al.1 It typically manifests as annular or papulosquamous eruptions on sun-exposed areas and is frequently associated with anti-Ro (SS-A) antibodies. In 1985, Reed et al2 described 5 patients with SCLE caused by hydrochlorothiazide use, the first reported cases of drug-induced SCLE (DI-SCLE). Other reports soon followed, implicating drugs in various categories. Up to 38% of SCLE cases are drug induced.3 The most commonly involved drugs include antifungal medications, hydrochlorothiazide, and calcium channel blockers.4 Chemotherapeutics are one of several drug classes that have been more recently implicated. Among the chemotherapeutic agents that have been reported to induce SCLE are docetaxel, paclitaxel, fluorouracil, capecitabine, tamoxifen citrate, and doxorubicin hydrochloride with cyclophosphamide.

  Herein, we report a new case of DI-SCLE due to monotherapeutic gemcitabine hydrochloride (hereafter gemcitabine). This agent may be added to the list of chemotherapeutic agents that can cause DI-SCLE