Mechlorethamine desensitization in therapy for mycosis fungoides. Topical desensitization to mechlorethamine (nitrogen mustard) contact hypersensitivity

A Prospective Study of Cutaneous Intolerance to Topical Mechlorethamine Therapy in Patients With Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphomas

“…Recent studies 2,[8][9][10][11][12]15 have proposed various methods to prevent allergic sensitization to mechlorethamine therapy. Most of these methods were not effective and may have caused severe adverse reactions.…”

“…26 The use of mechlorethamine ointment has not been officially recommended for use in France, and, currently, the aqueous solution is the only form that may be used to treat patients with cutaneous disorders. 14,26 Local desensitization with a diluted aqueous solution of mechlorethamine in patients with MF was shown to be useful by Constantine et al 15 and Ramsay et al, 2 but in these 2 studies, the authors diagnosed patients as having CIM based only on clinical findings. The authors administered to patients aqueous solutions of mechlorethamine with dilutions between 10 mg/1200 mL to 10 mg/1800 mL every day for 1 week.…”