Two cases of suspected immunologic-based hypersensitivity reactions to etoposide therapy.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report two cases of suspected immunologic-based hypersensitivity reactions to etoposide therapy.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Two cases are presented that differ from the majority of reported hypersensitivity reactions to etoposide. One patient, who tolerated etoposide during his first three-day chemotherapeutic dosage regimen, developed a hypersensitivity reaction to etoposide upon re-exposure to the drug during the first day of a subsequent three-day cycle. Another patient experienced a hypotensive episode on the first day of an initial three-day regimen, which did not recur on the two subsequent days of the cycle. However, when the patient was re-exposed to etoposide four weeks later, he experienced a severe reaction within minutes of drug infusion. Both patients were premedicated with corticosteroids and neither reported prior drug allergies.

CONCLUSIONS:

Based upon these cases and other literature reports, we believe these reactions primarily represent a type II or immunologic-based hypersensitivity reaction to etoposide.

• Authors: C Kasperek, C D Black
• Journal: The Annals of pharmacotherapy (Ann Pharmacother) Vol. 26 Issue 10 Pg. 1227-30 (Oct 1992) ISSN: 1060-0280 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1421643 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Etoposide

Topics

• Aged
• Drug Hypersensitivity (etiology, immunology)
• Etoposide (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged