Pruritus in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Its Management

Linda Serrano; Maria Estela Martinez-Escala; Xiaolong A Zhou; Joan Guitart

doi:10.1016/j.det.2018.02.011

Pruritus in Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma and Its Management

Dermatol Clin. 2018 Jul;36(3):245-258. doi: 10.1016/j.det.2018.02.011.

Authors

Linda Serrano¹, Maria Estela Martinez-Escala², Xiaolong A Zhou³, Joan Guitart⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 645 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 1050, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
² Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 1765, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
³ Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
⁴ Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 676 North Saint Clair Street, Suite 1765, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Electronic address: j-guitart@northwestern.edu.

PMID: 29929596
DOI: 10.1016/j.det.2018.02.011

Abstract

Pruritus is a common symptom in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) and critically affects the quality of life of patients. Understanding the pruritogenesis has led to development of new therapeutic agents with promising outcomes in management of this recalcitrant symptom. Clinical assessments are warranted to aid in evaluation of treatment response or disease recurrence. Severe pruritus scores may require further investigation of emotional distress for a better patient approach. Dermatologists play a key role in the treatment of CTCL-pruritus by guiding the patient in the importance of preserving the integrity of the skin barrier.

Keywords: Antidepressants; Aprepitant; Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma; Histone deacetylase inhibitors; Interleukins; Pruritus; Substance P; Visual analog scale.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
Amines / therapeutic use
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / therapeutic use
Antipruritics / therapeutic use*
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids / therapeutic use
Emollients / therapeutic use
Gabapentin
Histamine Antagonists / therapeutic use
Humans
Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / complications*
Naltrexone / therapeutic use
Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use
Pruritus / drug therapy*
Pruritus / etiology
Pruritus / physiopathology*
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use
Severity of Illness Index
Surveys and Questionnaires
Visual Analog Scale
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / therapeutic use

Substances

Adrenal Cortex Hormones
Amines
Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
Antipruritics
Cyclohexanecarboxylic Acids
Emollients
Histamine Antagonists
Narcotic Antagonists
Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists
Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
Naltrexone
Gabapentin