Case of severe bullous erythema including intertrigo‐like eruptions with angioedema induced by pegylated liposomal doxorubicin

Abstract

Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) is an anthracycline anticancer agent used in ovarian cancer and a form of doxorubicin enclosed in pegylated liposomes. There are only a few reports on intertrigo‐like eruptions caused by PLD. We describe the first case of severe bullous erythema, including intertrigo‐like eruptions with angioedema, induced by PLD in Japan. We present the case of a 53‐year‐old woman who was diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer. After receiving three cycles of PLD, the patient developed swelling of the upper lip and painful erythema with blisters and erosions on the axilla, upper back, flank and wrists. The patient was diagnosed with angioedema and severe skin lesions, including intertrigo‐like eruptions induced by PLD. Although treatment with oral prednisolone and topical steroids was effective against these eruptions, the administration of PLD was discontinued because of its ineffectiveness against the primary disease. Several risk factors, such as obesity, perspiration and racial differences, may contribute toward a severe manifestation such as that seen in our patient. Moreover, our case was the first accompanied by angioedema. The mechanism of coexistence of intertrigo‐like eruptions and angioedema is not clear; further studies are required to clarify the pathological mechanism of intertrigo‐like eruptions.