[Tattoo hypersensitivity reaction in a patient receiving combined BRAF and MEK inhibitors].

We report a similar new case strongly suggesting a specific effect of this drug combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 58-year-old man bearing 20-year-old tattoos was treated with dabrafenib and trametinib for advanced melanoma. A painful erythematous swelling appeared on all the patient's tattoos two months later, while his general tolerance of the treatment was poor. Skin biopsy demonstrated perivascular lympho-histiocytic infiltrate without granuloma, but with prominent pigment-loaded macrophages. Inflammatory signs quickly regressed after drug discontinuation. DISCUSSION: Great similarity exists between this new case and the first reported case, in which a female patient presented painful infiltration of old tattoos following repeated reintroduction of dabrafenib and trametinib in a setting of advanced melanoma. The immunomodulatory properties BRAF/MEK inhibition may enhance loss of tolerance to tattoo ink, accounting for the extremely long time to reaction. This third case militates in favour of a specific drug-induced reaction, of which patients with tattoos should be informed when anti-BRAF/MEK therapy is being considered. PMID: 31627930 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Annales de Dermatologie et de Cenereologie - Category: Dermatology Authors: Tags: Ann Dermatol Venereol Source Type: research