Red Lunulae Provoked by Molecular Targeted Drug Therapy

Abstract

Examining 71 patients who were receiving chemotherapy for various malignancies from January 27 to October 31, 2011, we found that 30 of 71 patients (42%) had red lunulae on their finger nails. Univariate analyses revealed a statistically significant relationship between red lunulae and molecular targeted therapies, especially with EGFR inhibitors, and with adverse cutaneous effects such as folliculitis and paronychia. Although the exact mechanism of red lunular development is unknown, we suspect that an altered keratinization caused by these medications could make the transitional zone of the lunula less opaque and make the underlying vessels more visible, appearing as a red lunula.