A bilateral cicatricial ectropion and bilateral upper lid shortening caused by 5-fluorouracil toxicity in a patient with dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase deficiency

Capecitabine-Induced Bilateral Ectropion: A Rare Ocular Manifestation Requiring Surgical Intervention

It has been established that many chemotherapeutic agents are associated with a variety of ocular side effects. As an antineoplastic agent, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is the chemotherapeutic agent that is frequently linked with cicatricial ectropion. Capecitabine is a prodrug of 5-FU and has a more favorable side effect profile than 5-FU. Frequent side effects of capecitabine include gastrointestinal events and hand-foot-mouth syndrome; cicatricial ectropion is rather uncommon. Enzyme deficiencies affecting the capecitabine metabolism have been reported to be associated with exaggerated generalized systemic and cutaneous side effects; however, there are no cases in the literature reporting capecitabine-induced isolated bilateral-progressive ectropion. Although cessation of the agent is frequently sufficient for the treatment of ectropion, close follow-up is indicated in such patients as permanent damage may occur if the problem is left untreated. We report a case of capecitabine-induced bilateral cicatricial ectropion refractory to treatment cessation, ultimately requiring surgical treatment.

Modern surgical methods of ectropion treatment

This review is considering methods of ectropion surgical treatment, which are based on modern understanding of etiology and pathogenic mechanisms of this eyelid condition. Attention is driven both to monosurgical methods for mild ectropion correction and to combined methods in complicated cases. Special aspects of surgical approach to severe cicatricial ectropion are described.

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase 85T>C mutation is associated with ocular toxicity of 5-fluorouracil: a case report

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), the mainstay of solid tumor chemotherapy over the past 40 years, induces grade III-IV toxicities in up to 15% of patients with polymorphisms in the dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPYD), thymidylate synthase (TYMS), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) genes. These toxicities include mucositis, neutropenia, nausea, diarrhea, myelosuppression, hand-foot syndrome, and rare ocular adverse effects. Here, we present the case of a female patient with rectal cancer who received 5-FU-based chemotherapy and developed grade III hand-foot syndrome and rare acute ocular adverse effects. Genetic analysis revealed that the patient had an 85T>C mutation in the DPYD gene resulting in a DPYD*9A allele. The clinical and molecular observations indicate that DPYD deficiency may be responsible for the severe ocular adverse effects observed in 5-FU-treated patients. Application of personalized therapy based on molecular testing should help clinicians provide the most effective chemotherapy agents and dose modifications for each patient, although further population-based pharmacogenetic trials for the 5-FU metabolism-related genes are necessary to minimize adverse effects and enhance clinical outcomes.