Bexarotene and Hypopituitarism

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Bexarotene is currently approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and is also under investigation for other cancers such as lung, breast, and thyroid cancer. We recently reported a patient with mycosis fungoides treated with bexarotene. The treatment induced hypopituitarism characterized by hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, and hypoadrenalism, which had not been previously reported. Methods: Here we report a second case with the same features and emphasize the possible risk of adrenal insufficiency during bexarotene treatment. Results: A 59 year-old male patient was diagnosed with anaplastic lymphoma. He was treated with 6 cycles of chemotherapy and interferon alfa 2b in the first 2 years of his treatment. Later, bexarotene treatment was initiated because lymphoma progression was observed. The patient developed hypopituitarism characterized by hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, and hypoadrenalism 2 months after bexarotene therapy. Conclusions: Clinicians should have a high index of su...