Articles

Refractory pyrexia caused by BRAF and MEK inhibitors: Colchicine as salvage

BJMO - volume 16, issue 3, may 2022

M. Saerens MD, I. Hilderson MD, L. Brochez MD, PhD, A. Hoorens MD, PhD, C. Jacobs MD

SUMMARY

Pyrexia is a frequent complication of the treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors. Its management includes a full infectious workup, initiation of paracetamol, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), dose interruption and steroids. In rare cases, pyrexia is refractory to steroids. Pathogenesis of pyrexia shows similarities with familial Mediterranean fever, a disease that usually responds well to colchicine. This study presents a case of refractory pyrexia due to BRAF and MEK inhibitors in metastatic melanoma, successfully treated with colchicine, which paved the path for a significant treatment response.

(BELG J MED ONCOL 2022;16(3):128–32)

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