Abstract
A 40-year-old man with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) in the rectum had been treated with imatinib mesylate (Glivec®) at a dose of 400mg per day. Since the 15th day of the treatment course, he suffered from fever, erythema on his chest, and subsequent hyperemia of bulbar conjunctiva and oral erosion. Erythematous macules with target lesions spread to his trunk and extremities (＜10% body surface area), and severe liver dysfunction occurred. These findings led us to diagnoses imatinib mesylate–induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Further administration of imatinib mesylate was stopped. Treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone of 500mg per day for 3 days followed by oral prednisolone of 40mg per day for 4 days and gradual reduction of the dose of prednisolone over 2 months improved his eruptions and liver function. Although his tumor had partially decreased in size after using imatinib mesylate, further use of it was avoided because of severe side effects. Instead, sunitinib malate was given but was stopped due to recurrence of liver dysfunction.Skin Research, 10: 494-499, 2011
