The journal einstein (São Paulo) – e-ISSN 2317-6385 is dedicated to dissemination of high-quality scientific content that advances our understanding of human disease with the goal of improving prevention, care, diagnostics and treatment of patients globally.
Azacitidine is a hypomethylating agent recommended for the treatment of patients with high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes. Here, we report the case of a patient with myelodysplastic syndrome who was not eligible for allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) and presented with a rare and previously unreported cutaneous side effect after the use of subcutaneous azacitidine. We propose that changing the route of azacitidine administration from subcutaneous to intravenous could potentially decrease the occurrence of bullous pemphigoid-like localized toxic reactions in some patients.
Nogueira,Rodrigo Brêtas Emerich and Tatsui,Nelson Hidekazu and Almeida,Laura Ramos de and Pincelli,Marcella Soares and Maruta,Celina Wakisaka and Sanches,José Antonio and Velloso,Elvira Deolinda Rodrigues Pereira and Nukui,Youko. Azacitidine-induced bullous pemphigoid-like localized toxic reaction. einstein (Sao Paulo). [online]. 2025, vol. 23, [cited 2025-09-06], eRC0699. Available from: <https://journal.einstein.br/article/azacitidine-induced-bullous-pemphigoid-like-localized-toxic-reaction/>. ISSN 1679-4508. https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2025RC0699
Figure 2
Skin biopsy showing subepidermal cleavage with re-epithelization and superficial and perivascular lymphohistiocytic infiltrate with sparse eosinophils