Systemic 5-fluorouracil induced lupus erythematosus: a review of the literature

Dermatol Online J. 2019 Nov 15;25(11):13030/qt3nw0p7hn.

Abstract

Drug-induced subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE) is the most common subtype of drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus and has been associated with more than 100 drugs. It presents weeks to months after initiation of the culprit medication. The eruption is typically in a photodistribution and it is marked by positive serology to anti-Ro (SSA) antibody. Systemic 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a less-common culprit of drug-induced SCLE and its occurrence is likely dependent on exposure to ultraviolet light. Herein, we present a review of drug-induced lupus induced by the pyrimidine analog, 5-FU, and its prodrugs, capecitabine and uracil-tegafur. The search was carried out using the following terms: (PubMed: keywords included drug-induced lupus, 5-fluorouracil, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus, capecitabine, uracil-tegafur, discoid lupus, systemic lupus erythematosus).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Aged
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / adverse effects*
  • Capecitabine / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / chemically induced*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / chemically induced
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Distribution
  • Tegafur / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Tegafur
  • Capecitabine
  • Fluorouracil