Neurologic defects associated with vemurafenib use appear to be reversible with treatment.
The most common adverse effects related to the use of the potent selective BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib are fatigue, arthralgia, elevated liver enzymes, and skin-related toxicities, including photosensitivity and squamous proliferations. These authors now report another such effect — facial palsy.
Three cases of Bell palsy arose in patients being treated for metastatic melanoma with vemurafenib.
The index case was a 63-year-old man with a BRAF V600E mutation who developed an acute and complete, right-sided facial palsy followed 10 days later by facial palsy on the contralateral side. The bilateral palsies occurred about 8 weeks after initiating treatment with vemurafenib. Vemurafenib was withheld, and daily treatment with 50 mg of oral predniso…
Reviewing Author
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)
DisclosuresConsultant / advisory board Lubax; WorldCare Clinical
EquityLubax
Grant / Research support NIH; Department of Defense; American Skin Association; Piramal
Editorial boardsBritish Journal of Dermatology; Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology; Journal of Investigative Dermatology
Leadership positions in professional societies American Academy of Dermatology (Chair, Skin Cancer and Melanoma Committee); American Board of Dermatology (Director)