Lichenoid drug eruption with hyperpigmentation caused by imatinib mesylate

Imatinib-induced extensive hyperpigmentation in a case of chronic myeloid leukemia

“…But the reason behind hyperpigmentation needs to be elucidated. This could be due to the following reasons: Paradoxical stimulation of melanocytes, drug-induced basal cell degeneration,[ 3 4 ] and deposition of drug metabolite that chelates melanin. [ 5 ]…”

“…Similarly, Kagimoto et al . [ 4 ] reported a case of imatinib-induced violaceous-gray pigmentation on face, neck and trunk which on histopathologic examination showed features suggestive of a lichenoid reaction pattern.…”

Oral and Cutaneous Lichenoid Reaction Secondary to Standard Dose Imatinib: A Case Report and Literature Review

“…Although skin reactions resulting from imatinib have been well-described, reports of an associated lichenoid dermatitis are rare. Since 2002, there have been twenty case reports of lichenoid eruptions, sixteen of which were in the context of CML treatment, and the others of GIST treatment (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Twenty case reports, including our case, are summarized in Table 1.…”

“…Twenty case reports, including our case, are summarized in Table 1. Three cases had oral involvement as the only manifestation (5-7) , seven had only cutaneous manifestations (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) , and the others presented with mucocutaneous involvement (15)(16)(17)(18)(19). Our patient presented with grey-violaceous plaques with a reticular on both cheek mucosal surfaces, and a disseminated cutaneous eruption composed of dark purple, prurigenous papules appeared on the trunk, legs and arms .…”

“…In some reported cases, the withdrawal of imatinib treatment was necessary (5,18). In other cases, dose adjustment and treatment with topical and/or corticosteroids allowed for the continuation of imatinib treatment (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)19). In two cases, oral acitretin improved the lesions (11).…”