Jessner-Kanof disease induced by leflunomide: a dermal variant of cutaneous lupus?

Rheumatol Int. 2011 Feb;31(2):255-8. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-1169-z. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Abstract

Leflunomide can have adverse effects, but cases of subacute cutaneous lupus have more rarely been described. This drug, through its immunomodulatory effect, can favor the appearance of a Th2 lymphocyte immune response inducing lupus. A recent study has suggested that Jessner-Kanof disease (JKD) could be a dermal form of lupus. We report a case of subacute cutaneous lupus induced by leflunomide with anti-Ro/SSA Ab and unusual histological presentation, identical to that of JKD. Leflunomide can induce cutaneous lupus characterized by exclusively dermal involvement and histologically comparable to JKD. This observation therefore suggests that JKD could be a dermal variant of lupus. This prompted a revision of the classification of cutaneous lupus, which has until now been divided into acute, subacute and chronic forms but could equally be classed as epidermal, dermal and hypodermal. The last point of interest in our observation is the efficacy of a combination of chloroquine and anakinra, which led to complete remission of the articular and cutaneous symptoms after the failure of corticotherapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Gold / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / therapeutic use*
  • Isoxazoles / adverse effects*
  • Leflunomide
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / chemically induced*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / classification
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / diagnosis
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / pathology
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein
  • Isoxazoles
  • Gold
  • Chloroquine
  • Leflunomide
  • Methotrexate