A characteristic eruption associated with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide chemotherapy after pretreatment with recombinant interleukin-1 alpha

Background: Patients who received recombinant interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) before chemotherapy followed by autologous bone marrow transplantation had a characteristic intertriginous cutaneous eruption that has not previously been described. Objective: Our aim was to document these skin changes and to determine whether IL-1 alpha as a sole agent caused recognizable changes in the skin. Methods: A prospective study of the skin changes in eight patients was performed. We characterized the clinical, histologic, and immunohistochemical features of the patients' skin after IL-1 alpha infusions and after chemotherapy. Results: No specific clinical or histologic changes were seen immediately after IL-1 alpha infusions. Immunohistochemical studies showed significant upregulation of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) expression. Within 1 day of the Initiation of chemotherapy (ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide), a cutaneous eruption consisting of mucositis and varying degrees of erythema progressing to painful erosions in body folds and under adhesive tape developed in all patients. Histologic features were consistent with a chemotherapeutic effect on the epidermis as well as eccrine and apocrine glands. Expression of keratinocyte intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and HLA-DR as well as of ELAM-1 on dermal endothelial cells was increased. The perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate consisted mainly of CD4(+) T cells. Conclusion: High-dose chemotherapy with ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide resulted in a characteristic cutaneous eruption that is consistent with a toxic reaction to chemotherapeutic agents. Its accentuation in skin folds and under taped areas suggests that eccrine excretion of the drugs or a toxic metabolite is an important contributing factor. IL-1 alpha may induce the expression of ELAM-1 but does not cause a cutaneous eruption.