Severe cutaneous ulceration following treatment with thalidomide for GVHD

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2001 Jan;27(2):229-30. doi: 10.1038/sj.bmt.1702756.

Abstract

We report two cases of severe leg ulcerations in patients being treated with thalidomide for graft-versus-host disease following bone marrow transplantation. Local wound care and debridement were attempted, but one patient required skin grafting to ensure healing. We propose that this complication may be due to the antiangiogenic properties of thalidomide and urge careful attention to skin breakdown in patients being treated with this compound.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Bone Marrow Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Graft vs Host Disease / drug therapy*
  • Graft vs Host Disease / etiology
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin Ulcer / etiology*
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects*
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Transplantation, Homologous

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Thalidomide