| Causes of Scleroderma (MAIN MENU) |
|
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| Causes
of Scleroderma: Drugs and Medications |
| This page
was written by Shelley
Ensz and has not yet been medically edited. |
|
| Overview |
| Some medications and street drugs
are known to induce scleroderma or Raynaud's,
including bleomycin, collagen injections, marijuana and cocaine. |
| 5 Hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP) in combination with Carbidopa |
| The
supplement 5 Hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) should not be used
alongside the Parkinsons drug carbidopa as it can cause
skin changes similar to those that seen with the disease
scleroderma. 5-HTP should not be combined with drugs that
raise serotonin levels, for example SSRIs (e.g., Prozac),
and other antidepressants. People with kidney disease or
liver disease should consult their doctor before taking 5-HTP. Anti-Aging
Library. |
| Bleomycin-Induced
Scleroderma |
| Bleomycin:
Role of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 and its Receptor,CCR-2,
in the Pathogenesis of Bleomycin-Induced Scleroderma. Monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1 may contribute to the induction
of dermal sclerosis via its direct effect of upregulation
of mRNA expression of extracellular matrix on fibroblasts,
as well as indirect effect mediated by a number of cytokines
released from immunocytes recruited into the lesional skin. PubMed.
J Invest Dermatol. 2003 Sep;121(3):510-6. |
| Chemotherapy-Induced
Scleroderma |
| Chemotherapy-induced
scleroderma: a pleiomorphic syndrome. We present the
first case of diffuse scleroderma occurring in a woman treated
with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for breast cancer.
The clinical pattern of skin involvement and histological
alterations were identical to those found in the classical
form of scleroderma. PubMed. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2005 Mar;30(2):141-5.
(Also see: Cancer
and Scleroderma and Diffuse
Scleroderma) |
| Cocaine-Induced Scleroderma |
| Cocaine-Induced Scleroderma and
Scleroderma Renal Crisis was reported in the Southern Medical
Journal and the article may be available through Medscape.(1) |
| Collagen and Liquid
Silicone Injections |
| Collagen
and Liquid Silicone Injections Some physicians have reported
that patients developed PM/DM and other connective tissue
diseases after receiving collagen injections even though
they never had these diseases before. FDA is investigating
whether there is a cause-and-effect relationship between
having collagen treatments and later developing PM/DM or
similar diseases. FDA, August 1991 (Also see Skin:
Collagen) |
| Corticosteroids |
| Onset and enhancement of systemic sclerosis after treatments for multiple sclerosis. This case report shows that some form of treatment useful for MS might enhance the manifestations of SSc. (PubMed) Rheumatol Int. 2007 Dec 8. |
| Gemcitabine |
| Gemcitabine-associated
scleroderma-like changes of the lower extremities. Gemcitabine
is a nucleosid analog approved for use in the treatment of
metastatic urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. This is the
first case report of a scleroderma-like reaction associated
with gemcitabine. This antineoplastic agent must be added
to the very limited number of cytostatic agents capable of
giving rise to scleroderma-like features. PubMed. J Am
Acad Dermatol. 2004 Aug;51(2 Suppl):S73-6. (Also see: Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Immunosuppressives |
| Angioimmunoblastic
T cell lymphoma with an unusual proliferation of epstein-barr
virus-associated large B cells arising in a patient with
progressive systemic sclerosis. The cause was suggested
to be closely associated with immunosuppressive treatment
for progressive systemic sclerosis. PubMed. Acta Haematol.
2005;114(2):108-12. (Also see: Scleroderma
and Cancer) |
| Interferon Alpha |
| Interferons and scleroderma-A new clue to understanding the pathogenesis of scleroderma? Interferon therapy also has been implicated in the development or exacerbation of several autoimmune diseases, including systemic scleroderma. Coelho LF. (PubMed) Immunol Lett. 2008 Jun 30;118(2):110-5. |
| Systemic
sclerosis after interferon alphacon-1 therapy for hepatitis C. IFN has
multiple effects on the immune system and is known to trigger the development
of autoantibodies, as well as the onset or exacerbation of autoimmune disease.
We suspect that the immunomodulatory effects of IFNalphacon-1 triggered
the clinical manifestations of SSc in this patient. PubMed. Intern Med.
2007;46(8):473-6. (Also see: Liver Involvement: Hepatitis C) |
| Systemic
sclerosis developing in association with the use of interferon
alpha therapy for chronic viral hepatitis. We speculate
that the immunomodulatory effects of IFNalpha triggered the
clinical manifestations of SSc in this patient. To our knowledge,
this is the second case of SSc developing after therapy with
IFNalpha and the first in a patient treated for chronic viral
hepatitis C. PubMed. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2004 Sep-Oct;22(5):625-8.
(Also see: Liver
Involvement) |
| L-tryptophan |
| L-tryptophan and scleroderma: Significance of nutritional supplements containing L-tryptophan. Our hypothesis though conjectural, mainly aims to highlight the possibility that a drug (L-tryptophan) known to cause a particular illness is available as part of an over-the-counter nutritional supplement in India. This drug has been banned in some countries. Feroze K, Venkitakrishnan S, Manoj J.J Postgrad Med 2008;54:235-6. |
| Marijuana (Cannabis)
and Raynaud's Phenomenon |
| Marijuana:
A 24-year old woman, heavy cannabis smoker with progressive
Raynaud's phenomenon and digital necrosis is presented. This
observation demonstrates that cannabis may represent a possible
cofactor in the pathogenesis of arteritis in young smokers.
Early recognition is important to avoid irreversible complications
such as loss of digits. PubMed. Vasa. 2003 May;32(2):95-7.
(Also see: Raynaud's
Prevention and Digital
Ulcers) |
| Paclitaxel (Taxanes)
and Scleroderma |
| Interestingly, preliminary research
in mice shows that the taxanes may be both a cause of scleroderma
in high doses, as well as a potential cure, in lower doses. |
| Taxane-induced
scleroderma. We report five women who presented with
scleroderma due to taxanes, mimicking systemic sclerosis.
All five patients had received taxane chemotherapy for the
treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Although the mechanisms
have not been clarified, it should be noted that taxane is
causally involved in the formation of scleroderma-like skin
conditions. PubMed Br J Dermatol. 2007 Feb;156(2):363-7. (Also
see: Cancer
and Scleroderma, and Diseases
Similar to Scleroderma) |
| Scleroderma
and the taxanes. Is there really a link? In recent years
there have been a number of case reports linking modern chemotherapy
agents, such as the taxanes to the development of scleroderma
like changes. PubMed. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004 Jul;29(4):360-2. |
| Also see: Scleroderma
and Related Conditions: Cancer and Causes
of Scleroderma: Artificial Joints and Silicone Breast Implants |
