Chlorambucil, cutaneous side effects

Oral cytostatic drug from the group of nitrogen-lost derivatives (alkylant), which above all prevents the maturation and proliferation of lymphocytes. Chlorambucil and the closely related Melphalan have a similar mode of action to cyclophosphamide.

Chronic lymphatic leukemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, lymphogranulomatosis. Also used for Waldenstrom's disease due to its good tolerability.

Isolated reports of positive effects are available for:

• Systemic sclerosis (Clements P et al. 1993)
• Bullous pemphigoid (Milligan A et al. 1990)

Cutane UAWs:

• Urticaria
• Toxic epidermal necrolysis
• Erythema multiforme
• maculopapular exanthema.

General: Amicrobial cystitis, fever, stomatitis, pharyngitis, conjunctivitis. Rare hemolytic anemia.

1. Boras VV et al (2016) Drug induced oral ulcerations: case report. Acta Clin Croat 55:334-337.
2. Clements P et al (1993) The course of skin involvement in systemic sclerosis over three years in a trial of chlorambucil versus placebo. Arthritis Rheum 36:1575-1579.
3. Milligan A et al (1990) The use of chlorambucil in the treatment of bullous pemphigoid. J Am Acad Dermatol 22:796-801.
4. Ozkan A et al (2007) Profuse erythema multiforme induced by chlorambucil. Ann Hematol 86:539-40.
5. Quaglino P et al (2017) Global patterns of care in advanced stage mycosis fungoides/Sezary syndrome: a multicenter retrospective follow-up study from the Cutaneous Lymphoma International Consortium Ann Oncol 28:2517-2525.
6. Rosen AC et al (2014) Life-threatening dermatologic adverse events in oncology. Anticancer Drugs. 25:225-234.