A Rare Case of Sunitinib-Induced Exfoliative Esophagitis

Abstract

Sunitinib is a chemotherapeutic agent that has been approved for renal cell carcinoma and gastrointestinal stromal tumors resistant to imatinib. It is usually well tolerated and severe gastrointestinal side effects are rare. There are very few reports of sunitinib causing severe esophagitis, and only one of them was previously reported as exfoliative esophagitis. We describe a case of severe sunitinib-induced exfoliative esophagitis that resulted in overt gastrointestinal bleed.

Clinical analysis of a case of neonatal exfoliative esophagitis in an 18-day-old neonate

“…At present EEE has no clear etiology and most cases are in adults. Some of these cases are caused by drugs, such as exfoliative esophagitis induced by sunitinib [3], dabigatran [4] and imatinib [5]; while other cases are caused by autoimmune diseases, such as vulgaris pemphigus exfoliative esophagitis [6] and epidermolysis bullosa combined with autoantibodies against p200 pemphigus antigen. Therefore, these are correlated with exfoliative esophagitis [7].…”

Pseud-lumen formation of esophagus by inserting endoscopy in a patient after chemoradiotherapy for pharyngeal cancer

“…Currently, there are some reports about exfoliative esophagitis, in which the esophageal mucosa exfoliates from submucosal tissues for various reasons, including chemical, thermal, or physical trauma from food and drugs [1,2]. Moreover, in many such cases, endoscopy shows longitudinal sloughing mucosal casts with symptoms, such as ordinary chest pain [3].…”

Exfoliative Esophagitis Induced By Sunitinib

“…org). [1][2][3] Onset of exfoliative esophagitis seems to have a wide range after the initiation of sunitinib: from a few months to 1 year. Discontinuation of sunitinib and PPI injection are proper treatment.…”