Acral Skin Rash Caused by Altered Mercaptopurine Metabolism in Maintenance Therapy for B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

6-mercaptopurine is a mainstay of acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment. It has a narrow therapeutic window, dictated by its metabolite, thioguanine and 6-methylmercaptopurine. Skin manifestations usually consist of mild facial rash or hypersensitivity exanthems. We report a child who developed a painful acral rash and mucositis while undergoing maintenance therapy for B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia without infectious or known drug etiology. Thiopurine metabolites were skewed toward 6-methylmercaptopurine. Two weeks after allopurinol was added and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) dose adjusted, the cutaneous manifestations and other constitutional symptoms resolved. We posit that the rash was because of 6-MP toxicity related to skewed metabolism, adding to the growing list of toxicity related to altered 6-MP metabolism.