© The authors, 2018

Introduction

Palbociclib is a drug indicated in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, and human epidermal growth factor-2 (HER-2) receptor-negative breast cancer. Oral ulcers caused by palbociclib appear to be reported in phase-2 and phase-3 studies, but have never been specifically described, unlike other older targeted therapies such as mTOR inhibitors. The purpose of this report is to present the descriptive findings of the first reported case of oral ulcers attributable to palbociclib.

Observation

In 2017, a 62-year-old female consulted the oral surgery department for management of oral ulcers. According to her medical history she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and had received treatment in 1997. In 2016, she went into remission. In March 2017, several pulmonary nodules related to the mammary tumor were found. These were associated with an increase in the level of carbohydrate antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3). Chemotherapy treatment combining palbociclib (Ibrance^®) and fulvestrant (Faslodex^®) was initiated. Palbociclib was administered at a dosage of 125 mg/day for 21 out of 28 days. Oral ulcers occurred on the 15th day of treatment. However, the patient continued taking the palbociclib, which had proven somewhat effective as a decrease in CA 15-3 was observed. The other biological tests were normal, there was no associated neutropenia. During her first visit to the department, the patient complained of severe pain (visual analog scale = 9) associated with speech difficulties. A clinical examination revealed multiple, “cookie cutter” ulcers, ≤ 1 cm, on the dorsal side of the tongue (Fig. 1). A much larger, irregularly-shaped ulcer was also found on the vestibular gingiva of the tooth 46 (Fig. 1). These ulcers were shallow and had a fibrinous base with an erythematous border. This clinical picture was suggestive of iatrogenic oral ulcers attributable to the use of palbociclib. The patient underwent an infrared laser biostimulation session (4 J/cm²) (Fig. 2a). In addition, the patient had to apply a compound preparation to the lesions consisting of clobetasol (Dermoval^®) and lidocaine hydrochloride (Dynexan^®) in equal amounts. A follow-up consultation took place after 3 weeks. The patient did not report any immediate benefit from laser biostimulation. Meanwhile, because of the debilitating discomfort caused by the ulcers, palbociclib treatment was discontinued. A clinical examination showed that the lesions were healing (Fig. 2b). Only one unobtrusive gingival ulcer, similar in appearance to the previous ones, was present near tooth 23. An attempt was made to reintroduce a lower-dose treatment in the summer of 2017, but the ulcers recurred in a just few days, thereby suggesting that palbociclib was responsible for the initial occurrence of the ulcers.

Fig. 1 Appearance of ulcers at the first consultation.

Fig. 2 (a) Laser biostimulation, (b) healing of the dorsal side of the tongue at 15 days.

Discussion

Palbociclib is a drug indicated in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive, and HER-2 receptor-negative breast cancer. It is used in combination with an aromatase inhibitor (ex: Letrozole^®) or with Fulvestrant^® in women who have been previously received hormone therapy. Its efficacy has been demonstrated in randomized phase-2 and phase-3 studies [1, 2]. The most common adverse side effects reported in patients receiving palbociclib in randomized clinical trials were neutropenia, infections, leukopenia, fatigue, nausea, stomatitis, anemia, alopecia, and diarrhea [2]. The term stomatitis refers here to aphthous ulcers, cheilitis, glossitis, oral ulcers, mucous membrane inflammations, and mouth pain. There is no case report of aphthous ulcers outside phase-2 and phase-3 studies. Finding ulcers on the dorsal side of the tongue is rare because mucositis caused by chemotherapy and targeted therapies is generally found on nonkeratinized mucous membranes. The physiopathological mechanisms responsible for the ulcers observed in the case presented are complex. Palbociclib is a selective and reversible inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6). However, CDK4/6 are downstream of multiple signaling pathways that control cell proliferation. The treatment of drug-induced oral ulcers, and mucositis more generally, is based primarily on prevention with regular follow-ups and rigorous oral hygiene. The treatment of mucositis under targeted therapies is comprised of local corticosteroid therapy combined with laser biostimulation. Although there is no consensus on the dose and frequency of sessions, low-level laser therapy treatments seem to play a part in the prevention and treatment of radiotherapy-induced and chemotherapy-induced mucositis [3]. They stimulate cell renewal by increasing ATP synthesis, accelerating mitosis, and stimulating local microcirculation. This treatment was attempted as a cure, but the patient did not report any improvement. However, palbociclib treatment was discontinued concomitantly with the laser biostimulation session; thus, it is difficult to determine exactly which factor was responsible for the disappearance of the ulcers.

Palbociclib was recently made commercially available (November 2016) and no similar cases are reported in the literature. Given the effectiveness of this drug demonstrated by many studies, its use is likely to increase in the coming years. In addition, new therapeutic indications are emerging: multiple myeloma treatment [4] and intracranial growing teratoma syndrome [5], which suggests a possible increase in the frequency of its adverse effects. In this scenario, oral surgeons must be made aware of its side effects.

Conclusion

Palbociclib, as a CDK4/6 inhibitor, appears to be an effective therapeutic tool in the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic, hormone receptor-positive and HER-2 receptor-negative breast cancers. Aphthous oral ulcers are a complication which led to the discontinuation of treatment despite the implementation of local corticosteroid therapy and laser biostimulation. The frequency and severity of mucositis secondary to palbociclib treatment remains to be clarified because the drug recently made available for purchase.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest in relation to this article.

References

All Figures

	Fig. 1 Appearance of ulcers at the first consultation.
In the text

	Fig. 2 (a) Laser biostimulation, (b) healing of the dorsal side of the tongue at 15 days.
In the text