Docetaxel-related photosensitivity reaction

Abstract

A 44-year-old female patient received combined chemotherapy of docetaxel and cyclophosphamide after undergoing a resection of invasive ductal carcinoma of her left breast. One day before each cycle of chemotherapy, the patient received oral dexamethasone 8 mg twice daily for 3 consecutive days to prevent docetaxel-induced anaphylaxis. No adverse reactions appeared in the patient after the first cycle of chemotherapy. On the 5th day of the second cycle of chemotherapy, the patient was exposed to the sun for 30 minutes. The next day, urticaria appeared on her back of neck, opisthenar, knee, and waist. The patient did not receive any other drugs and she also did not change her dietetic habits during the period of chemotherapy. The rash was considered to be photosensitivity reaction possibly induced by docetaxel. The patient received antianaphylaxis treatment, including oral loratadine 10 mg and IV infusion of methylprednisolone sodium succinate 40 mg, calcium gluconate 2.0 g, and vitamin C 2.0 g once daily. Eight days later, the patient′s rash improved. Key words: Taxoids; Dermatitis, phototoxic