Rapid development of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers secondary to ruxolitinib: a case report

Trevor A. Nessel; Jeffrey B. Morris; Tyler Roshak; Bryan D. Sofen

doi:10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20212555

Authors

Trevor A. Nessel Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, Michigan, USA http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7603-5125
Jeffrey B. Morris Department of Dermatology, Beaumont Trenton Hospital, Trenton, Michigan, USA http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9669-0285
Tyler Roshak Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
Bryan D. Sofen Department of Dermatology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2455-4529.IntJResDermatol20212555

Keywords:

Janus kinase inhibitor, Ruxolitinib, Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma, Nonmelanoma skin cancer, Prostate adenocarcinoma

Abstract

Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors are immunosuppressive medications that function by deactivating the JAK-STAT pathway causing inhibition of cellular growth. Ruxolitinib is a JAK inhibitor that is commonly used to treat disease processes such as myelofibrosis, polycythemia vera and graft versus host disease, with some evidence of benefit with prostate cancer as well. Side effects of ruxolitinib include increased risk of infection, pancytopenia, cardiovascular disease and malignancy relating to the medication’s immunosuppressive effects. Here we reported a 69-year-old male with prostate cancer being treated with ruxolitinib who developed multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers over a 13-month period.

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