Eruptive latent metastatic melanomas after initiation of antitumor necrosis factor therapies

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2007 May;56(5 Suppl):S65-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.12.024.

Abstract

We report two cases of late recurrence of eruptive locoregional metastatic melanoma occurring 6 and 9 years after definitive surgical treatment. Each case (stage IB and IA) occurred after initiation of the subcutaneous anti-tumor necrosis factor medications etanercept and adalimumab, respectively. We discuss the association of immune suppression and melanoma. These cases illustrate a previously unrecognized and potentially causal relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibition and reactivation of latent melanoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adalimumab
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / administration & dosage
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antirheumatic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Etanercept
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / administration & dosage
  • Immunoglobulin G / adverse effects*
  • Immunoglobulin G / therapeutic use
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • Melanoma / chemically induced*
  • Melanoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Melanoma / secondary
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / chemically induced*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / administration & dosage
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / therapeutic use
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Skin Neoplasms / secondary
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / antagonists & inhibitors*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Adalimumab
  • Etanercept