Pityriasis roseaelike eruption during treatment with imatinib mesylate: Description of 3 cases

Imatinib mesylate (IM) represents the first-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). We hereby relate 3 cases of an IM-induced pityriasis rosea (PR)-like cutaneous eruption. Patients developed an erythematous, slightly pruritic, macular skin eruption, with many lesions having a peripheral collarette of desquamation, confined to the trunk, limbs, and arms with a vaguely dermatomal diffusion. The histologic findings suggested a reactive process to the drug. Full dermatological recovery was obtained after IM discontinuation, but lesions reappeared upon restoring therapy, suggesting the drug-related nature of the rash. To our knowledge this is the first reported PR-like cutaneous eruption to IM.