Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus exacerbated or induced by chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND

Subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), characterized by nonscarring, photodistributed, annular or papulosquamous plaques, is occasionally induced by medication. It has been strongly associated with antihypertensive medications and terbinafine hydrochloride.

OBSERVATION: We describe 3 women with breast cancer who developed SCLE-like eruptions after being administered doxorubicin hydrochloride and cyclophosphamide. Biopsy specimens of all 3 patients demonstrated an interface dermatitis. Treatment consisted of topical and/or systemic corticosteroids, photoprotection, and switching the chemotherapeutic regimens.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on clinicopathologic correlation and timing of chemotherapy exposure, the patients were believed to have drug-induced SCLE. Although cutaneous eruption, pruritus, and photosensitivity are known adverse effects of doxorubicin, to our knowledge there has been only 1 previously reported case of doxorubicin-induced SCLE.