Radiation recall dermatitis induced by sorafenib: A case study and review of the literature

Risk assessment, surveillance, and nonpharmaceutical prevention of acute radiation dermatitis: results of a multicentric survey among the German-speaking radiation oncology community

PURPOSE

Radiation dermatitis (RD) represents one of the most frequent side effects in radiotherapy (RT). Despite technical progress, mild and moderate RD still affects major subsets of patients and identification and management of patients with a high risk of severe RD is essential. We sought to characterize surveillance and nonpharmaceutical preventive management of RD in German-speaking hospitals and private centers.

METHODS

We conducted a survey on RD among German-speaking radiation oncologists inquiring for their evaluation of risk factors, assessment methods, and nonpharmaceutical preventive management of RD.

RESULTS

A total of 244 health professionals from public and private institutions in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland participated in the survey. RT-dependent factors were deemed most relevant for RD onset followed by lifestyle factors, emphasizing the impact of treatment conceptualization and patient education. While a broad majority of 92.8% assess RD at least once during RT, 59.0% of participants report RD at least partially arbitrarily and 17.4% stated to classify RD severity solely arbitrarily. 83.7% of all participants were unaware of patient-reported outcomes (PROs). Consensus exists on some lifestyle recommendations like avoidance of sun exposure (98.7%), hot baths (95.1%), and mechanical irritation (91.8%) under RT, while deodorant use (63.4% not at all, 22.1% with restrictions) or application of skin lotion (15.1% disapproval) remain controversial and are not recommended by guidelines or evidence-based practices.

CONCLUSION

Identification of patients at an increased risk of RD and subsequent implementation of adequate preventive measures remain relevant and challenging aspects of clinical routines. Consensus exists on several risk factors and nonpharmaceutical prevention recommendations, while RT-dependent risk factors, e.g., the fractionation scheme, or hygienic measures like deodorant use remain controversial. Surveillance is widely lacking methodology and objectivity. Intensifying outreach in the radiation oncology community is needed to improve practice patterns.

Recognizing cisplatin as a potential radiation recall trigger: case report and focused systematic review

We present a case of mild radiation recall dermatitis triggered by cisplatin chemotherapy given simultaneously to re-irradiation. The dermatitis area correlated to skin exposure of the previous radiation therapy, characterizing the reaction clearly as a recall. Cisplatin has not yet been recognized as a potential trigger for recall reactions. Although it was part of several reported multidrug trigger combinations, all review works referred to cisplatin as not suspicious, suggesting the combination partner as the effector. We performed a focused systematic literature review aiming to re-evaluate the real role of cisplatin as a (co-)triggering factor. In total, 30 reported cases were found, 90% triggered by multidrug combinations. The latter tended to cause more severe symptoms. Besides findings supporting the 20 Gy-threshold theory, no correlation between radiation dose and severity or prevalence was found. Recognition of cisplatin as a trigger of the recall phenomenon and its supportive management may prevent unnecessary cessation of systemic chemotherapy. Systematic reporting of recall events as a secondary endpoint of prospective clinical trials applying radiation therapy could support understanding the recall phenomenon.

A case of multiple hepatocellular carcinoma experiencing complete responses to sorafenib and atezolizumab-bevacizumab and developing severe, refractory venous congestive cutaneous ulcers on either regimen

A man in his eighties presented with a history of bilateral leg congestive phlebitis, and multiple hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated with sorafenib. When the dose was increased to 400 mg, ulcers appeared under both knees, which worsened, and the drug was discontinued 2 months after administration. However, the ulcers to 30 mm in diameter, requiring debridement and antibiotics. The HCC showed a complete response (CR) based on modified-RECIST criteria; however, after several rounds of locoregional therapy for recurrence, multiple HCCs and metastatic lesions in the Morrison's fossa were detected. Therefore, atezolizumab 1200 mg-bevacizumab 900 mg was started. After the first course, the patient complained of pain below both knees, and when the second course was administered, leg ulcers re-appeared and rapidly worsened. The ulcers were circular and multiple and progressed to deep digging, leading to tendon exposure. Bevacizumab-induced congestive venous ulcer was diagnosed, requiring skin grafts to heal. HCC then showed a CR based on m-RECIST criteria. Initially, the cause of the ulcer was thought to be immune-related adverse effects due to atezolizumab, but experience with sorafenib led us to conclude that the cause was stagnant venous ulcers due to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, which inhibited angiogenesis.

COVID-19 vaccine-induced Radiation Recall Dermatitis: Report of a case

Radiation Recall Dermatitis (RRD) is an inflammatory process in the site of irradiation, induced by physical and medical agents. Few cases of RRD in the skin and lung have been reported after COVID-19 vaccination. Here, we report radiation recall dermatitis after both doses of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (Sinopharm, China).

Radiation recall dermatitis with dabrafenib and trametinib: A case report

BACKGROUND

Radiation recall dermatitis has been defined as the “recalling” by skin of previous radiation exposure in response to the administration of certain response-inducing drugs. Although the phenomenon is relatively well known in the medical world, an exact cause has not been documented.

CASE SUMMARY

Here, we report the rare occurrence of radiation recall dermatitis after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases in a metastatic melanoma patient treated with a combination of dabrafenib and trametinib.

CONCLUSION

We present a case of radiation recall dermatitis after completion of palliative radiotherapy while being treated with a combination of dabrafenib and trametinib. This is a very rare toxic event, and there is insufficient data to describe prevention strategies. Increased awareness and reporting of cases will help to better explain the association between targeted therapy and the radiation recall phenomenon.

Radiotherapy and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Renal Cancer

Treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has seen substantial progress over the last decade. A number of targeted therapies have been shown to improve clinical outcome. Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an effective option in treating mRCC. RCC is traditionally perceived to be a radioresistant malignancy with a limited role of radiotherapy (RT) in the management of localized disease. While RCC appears to be radioresistant using conventionally fractionated RT, preclinical data suggest increased radiosensitivity when an ablative, hypofractionated schedule is used. RT is a common treatment for metastases; therefore, it is important to understand how best to use the combination of RT with targeted therapies. Preclinical studies have suggested that the combination of anti-angiogenic drugs with RT enhances the therapeutic effect compared with ionizing radiation alone. However, clinical data gave rise to warnings due to an increased incidence of severe gastrointestinal side effects. This article reviews the literature behind the preclinical and clinical data of the combination of RT with VEGFR-TKIs currently approved for RCC (sunitinib, sorafenib, pazopanib, and axitinib), with a focus on dose schedules as well as efficacy and toxicity.

Radiation Recall Dermatitis in Patients Treated with Sorafenib

Introduction

Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is a phenomenon that occurs in previously irradiated areas shortly after administration of a chemotherapeutic agent. As the use of sorafenib expands, the incidence of radiation recall dermatitis induced by sorafenib will likely increase. Here, we report on a patient who developed RRD and describe his clinical characteristics along with a review of the literature.

Case Presentation

Our patient was treated with palliative radiation therapy (RT) to a painful metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma lesion in the right forearm. He completed his radiation course with grade 1 dermatitis, which had resolved by the time he was started on sorafenib 400 mg twice daily 7 days afterwards. On the 21st day after RT, he presented with desquamation and erythema in the previously irradiated area of the right forearm, consistent with RRD. The sorafenib was discontinued and his symptoms subsequently resolved with conservative topical management.

Conclusions

Although the pathophysiologic mechanism of sorafenib-related radiation recall dermatitis remains to be investigated, practitioners should be aware of its presence and management in order to improve clinical outcomes.

Radiation recall dermatitis triggered by sorafenib after radiation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Sorafenib is widely used for unresectable and metastatic hepatocellular carcinomas. Radiation recall dermatitis (RRD) is an acute inflammatory reaction confined to previously irradiated skin that occurs after the administration of certain drugs. RRD after sorafenib treatment is rare; five cases have been reported thus far. We describe a 44-year-old man irradiated for chest wall bone metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma. Eight days after radiotherapy completion, systemic therapy for metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma was initiated with sorafenib treatment. Eleven days after starting sorafenib, the patient complained of erythematous rash with pruritus in the chest wall, in a location consistent with the previous radiation field. Sorafenib was continued at the same dose, despite the RRD. The skin reaction subsided over the next 2 weeks without any medical intervention.

Idelalisib may have the potential to increase radiotherapy side effects

INTRODUCTION

Idelalisib is approved for the treatment of relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia together with Rituximab and for monotherapy of follicular B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma. It is a potent and selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-δ (PI3K-δ) inhibitor. PI3K-δ primarily is expressed in B-cells and prevents effectively proliferation in malignant B-cells.

METHODS

We provide a detailed report on treatment history and photo documentation of acute adverse effects of radiation therapy with simultaneous Idelalisib medication in one case of B-CLL. Radiosensitivity tests were performed for the index patient under Idelalisib and after the addition of Idelalisib to healthy individuals' blood. Radiosensitivity in human lymphocytes was analyzed with a three color in situ hybridization assay. Primary skin fibroblasts were studied after a treatment with Idelalisib for apoptosis, necrosis and cell cycle using flow cytometry. DNA double-strand break repair was analyzed by γH2AX immunostaining.

RESULTS

The index patient presented a strong grade 2 radiodermatitis and grade 3 mucositis after irradiation with 20 Gy and a simultaneous intake of Idelalisib. Irradiations without Idelalisib medication were well tolerated and resulted in not more than grade 1 radiodermatitis. The index patient under Idelalisib had a radiosensitivity of 0.62 B/M which is in the range of clearly radiosensitive patients. A combined treatment of lymphocytes with 2 Gy and 10 nmol/l Idelalisib showed a tendency to an increased radiosensitivity. We found a clear increase of apoptosis as a result of the combined treatment in the Idelalisib dose range of 1 to 100 nmol/l compared to solely irradiated cells or solely Idelalisib treated cells (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION

A combined Idelalisib radiotherapy treatment has an increased risk of side effects. However, combined therapy seems to be feasible when patients are monitored closely.