Hydroxyurea dermopathy with a dermatomyositis-like eruption and a large leg ulcer

Hydroxyurea-associated squamous dysplasia

“…62 Histologic features associated with long-term HU have been described by several authors 11,13,[30][31][32][33][34] and termed ''HU dermopathy'' by Daoud et al 29 Histologic features of HU dermopathy include abnormalities of epidermal keratinocyte differentiation, focal premature squamous differentiation of basal keratinocytes, oversized epidermal cells with large nuclei and prominent nucleoli, hydropic degeneration, dyskeratotic cells, focal lichenoid reaction, and thickening of the basement membrane correlating with chronicity. 29 Biopsy specimen of an erythematous scaling patch on the face of patient No.…”

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28] A lichen planuse like and a dermatomyositis-like reaction specific for HU and termed ''HU dermopathy'' by Daoud et al 29 has been reported with long-term therapy. 11,[30][31][32][33][34][35] The association between HU and multiple aggressive squamous cell carcinomas, Bowen's disease, and multiple actinic keratoses in photoexposed areas after a variable latency period has been increasingly reported in the literature. We report 2 additional patients who experienced the sudden onset of multiple actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease, basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas in sun-exposed areas after long-term HU therapy.…”

Chronic Leg Ulceration Associated with Polycythemia Vera Responding to Ruxolitinib (Jakafi®)

“…It has been recommended for PV therapy in conjunction with phlebotomy for patients who are older than 60 years and those with previous thrombosis. Hydroxyurea is usually fairly well tolerated but is known to be associated with a variety of dermatologic side effects, including alopecia, diffuse hyperpigmentation, erythema, skin atrophy, an amyopathic dermatomyositis presentation (11), nail changes, poikilodermatous dermatitis (11,12), and resistant leg ulcers (1–3,13–15). Leg ulceration occurs in approximately 9% of patients receiving hydroxyurea in the setting of myeloproliferative syndromes and in approximately 29% of patients taking hydroxyurea for management of sickle cell anemia (1).…”

Changes of Immunological Profiles in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia in the Course of Treatment

“…However, HU does not induce cytogenetic remissions in a significant percentage of patients nor does it markedly change the natural history of the disease. The adverse effects include gastrointestinal problems and cutaneous defects as leg ulcers [1], hyperpigmentation of the skin and nails, a lichen planus-like eruption, lupus erythematosus, and dermatomyositis-like eruption [2]. The first observational reports on a cytoreductive effect of interferon α (IFN α ) in CML patients date back to 1980s, when IFN α treatment was introduced at the M.D.…”