Dermatomyositis-Like Eruption Associated with Hydroxyurea 
Therapy

Katarzyna Winkel; Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki; Paweł Głuszak; Maciej Spałek; Dorota Jenerowicz

doi:10.5114/dr.2025.153205

eISSN: 2084-9893
ISSN: 0033-2526

Dermatology Review/Przegląd Dermatologiczny

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2/2025
vol. 112

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abstract:

Case report

Dermatomyositis-Like Eruption Associated with Hydroxyurea Therapy

Katarzyna Winkel

¹

,

Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki

¹

,

Paweł Głuszak

¹

,

Maciej Spałek

¹

,

Dorota Jenerowicz

¹

Department of Dermatology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland

Dermatol Rev/Przegl Dermatol 2025, 112, 104–107

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/dr.2025.153205

Online publish date: 2025/06/30

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Introduction:
Hydroxyurea is the first-line drug for patients with essential thrombocythemia in high-risk groups. Despite its relatively good tolerance, it can induce difficult-to-treat skin lesions.

Objective:
To present the case of a 64-year-old patient with an adverse reaction to long-term hydroxyurea therapy, described in the literature as “hydroxyurea-induced dermatomyositis-like eruption”.

Case report:
The patient with a 14-year history of essential thrombocythemia, treated with hydroxyurea, presented with hyperkeratotic lesions and bluish papules on the dorsa of the hands. Both antinuclear antibodies and dermatomyositis-associated antibodies were negative. Electromyographic examination prior to hospitalization was not indicative of primary damage to muscle cells. The result of the biopsy was consistent

Conclusions:
If a patient undergoing treatment with hydroxyurea develops a dermatomyositis-like eruption and topical treatment proves ineffective, change of the therapy should be considered.

keywords:

hydroxyurea, skin toxicity, dermatomyositis-like eruption

Indeks osobowy

Dermatomyositis-Like Eruption Associated with Hydroxyurea Therapy

Katarzyna Winkel 1 , Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki 1 , Paweł Głuszak 1 , Maciej Spałek 1 , Dorota Jenerowicz 1

hydroxyurea, skin toxicity, dermatomyositis-like eruption

Katarzyna Winkel

¹

,

Krzysztof Dobrzeniecki

¹

,

Paweł Głuszak

¹

,

Maciej Spałek

¹

,

Dorota Jenerowicz

¹