BACKGROUND: Onycholysis has been reported in association with the use of several noncytotoxic drugs and with chemotherapy in 135 patients. Onycholysis may be precipitated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. METHODS: The authors studied 91 patients who received paclitaxel and 187 patients who received doxorubicin. RESULTS: Onycholysis occurred in 5 of 21 patients who received > 6 courses of weekly paclitaxel, developing in the summer months in all 5 patients. It did not occur in patients who received fewer weekly paclitaxel courses or those who were treated every 3 weeks. Onycholysis did not occur in 187 patients who received doxorubicin. Review of the literature revealed that onycholysis is nearly exclusively associated with anthracycline and taxane therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged weekly paclitaxel, other taxanes, and anthracyclines cause onycholysis in some patients, which may be precipitated by exposure to sunlight. Patients receiving these drugs should protect their nails from sunlight.
BACKGROUND: Onycholysis has been reported in association with the use of several noncytotoxic drugs and with chemotherapy in 135 patients. Onycholysis may be precipitated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. METHODS: The authors studied 91 patients who received paclitaxel and 187 patients who received doxorubicin. RESULTS: Onycholysis occurred in 5 of 21 patients who received > 6 courses of weekly paclitaxel, developing in the summer months in all 5 patients. It did not occur in patients who received fewer weekly paclitaxel courses or those who were treated every 3 weeks. Onycholysis did not occur in 187 patients who received doxorubicin. Review of the literature revealed that onycholysis is nearly exclusively associated with anthracycline and taxane therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged weekly paclitaxel, other taxanes, and anthracyclines cause onycholysis in some patients, which may be precipitated by exposure to sunlight. Patients receiving these drugs should protect their nails from sunlight.
Authors: Vincent Sibaud; Nicole R Lebœuf; Henri Roche; Viswanath R Belum; Laurence Gladieff; Marion Deslandres; Marion Montastruc; Audrey Eche; Emmanuelle Vigarios; Florence Dalenc; Mario E Lacouture Journal: Eur J Dermatol Date: 2016-10-01 Impact factor: 3.328
Authors: Dorte Winther; Ditte Marie Saunte; Marianne Knap; Vera Haahr; Anders Bonde Jensen Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2007-02-22 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Mark Hackbarth; Norbert Haas; Christina Fotopoulou; Werner Lichtenegger; Jalid Sehouli Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2007-08-07 Impact factor: 3.603