Topical Treatment of Early Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

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

“…1 Initial treatments include topical mechlorethamine hydrochloride, topical carmustine, topical corticosteroids, psoralen-UV-A (PUVA), UV-B radiation, and total skin electron beam radiation. [2][3][4][5] Topical mechlorethamine therapy is a convenient and effective treatment, especially for elderly patients who can easily prepare it at home. It can be safely administered for prolonged periods without systemic toxic effects.…”

Treatment of Early-Stage Mycosis Fungoides With Twice-Weekly Applications of Mechlorethamine and Topical Corticosteroids

“…3 The effectiveness of daily applications of mechlorethamine hydrochloride (N-methyl-2,2Ј-dichlorodiethylamine) has been clearly demonstrated in the treatment of early-stage MF. [8][9][10] The rate of complete response reported in patients with T1 and T2 MF (ie, patients with patch lesions involving less or more than 10% of the body surface area) treated with daily applications of mechlorethamine ranges from 30% to 80%. 7,[11][12][13] Cutaneous intolerance to mechlorethamine (ie, irritant and/or allergic dermatitis) represents a frequent and major adverse reaction, since it occurs in 30% to 80% of patients and often leads to treatment discontinuation.…”

Drug Approval Summaries: Arsenic Trioxide, Tamoxifen Citrate, Anastrazole, Paclitaxel, Bexarotene

“…Topical glucocorticoids, nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine), carmustine (BCNU), psoralen plus ultraviolet-A radiation (PUVA), and electron beam radiation therapy (EBT) can induce remissions but do not alter the patient's long-term prognosis. For patients with advanced relapsing or nonresponsive disease, approved therapies include photopheresis (methoxsalen plus extracorporeal long-wave UV radiation) of white blood cells, systemic mechlorethamine (Mustargen ® ), and targretin (bexarotene) capsules [21].…”

“…Radiation therapies may induce skin aging changes, telangiectasia, edema, radiation dermatitis, permanent alopecia, and chronic blepharitis. The incidence of drug hypersensitivity is reported to occur in 35% to 58% of patients treated with topical nitrogen mustard and in 5% to 10% of patients treated with BCNU [21].…”