Photoallergic reaction in a patient receiving vandetanib for metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Novel targeted agents have been increasingly developed and tested in clinical trials over the past 5–10 years, many with unknown and unanticipated side effects. We describe here a case of a patient with a history of metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma that we believe developed vandetanib–associated photoallergic dermatitis while enrolled on a phase 1 clinical trial. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old Caucasian female with poorly differentiated, metastatic follicular thyroid carcinoma presented with a cutaneous eruption that developed over 3 to 4 days while treated on phase 1 clinical trial with vandetanib-based therapy. Given the concern for photoallergic dermatitis, vandetanib was discontinued and supportive care provided including topical and oral steroid administration. Her cutaneous eruption improved and she was successfully re-challenged with vandetanib. CONCLUSION: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors, such as typo-vandetinib, with various therapeutic targets have come to the forefront of oncologic therapy in recent years. It is important to have a better understanding of the side effect profile and management in order to anticipate adverse events and maintain patient safety in future clinical trials.