Bevacizumab-Induced Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris-Like Eruption

Abstract

Pityriasis rubra pilaris is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by follicular papules on an erythematous base often exhibiting islands of unaffected skin, follicular plugging, and palmoplantar hyperkeratosis. While vitamin A deficiency and autoimmune reactions have been hypothesized as possible etiologies of this condition, pityriasis rubra pilaris-like eruptions secondary to medications are extremely rare. To our knowledge, only three other cases have been reported, and pityriasis rubra pilaris has never been reported in association with bevacizumab. We present a 70-year-old man who developed erythroderma both clinically and histologically consistent with pityriasis rubra pilaris 10 days after intravitreal injection of bevacizumab for age-related macular degeneration. As immune-modulating drugs grow in their application for a host of diseases, recognition of associated medication complications is important.