Role of Skin Tests in the Diagnosis of Immediate Hypersensitivity Reactions to Taxanes: Results of a Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Immediate hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) to taxanes have been increasing in recent years, but the importance of skin tests in allergological workup has not been established.

OBJECTIVE: In our study we tried to evaluate the role of prick and intradermal tests in the diagnosis of HSRs to paclitaxel and docetaxel.

METHODS: In this multicenter prospective study, we enrolled patients with immediate HSRs to the aforesaid agents. Skin tests were performed on these subjects and if results were negative, intradermal tests with the culprit drug were conducted. Patients with grade 1 reactions subsequently underwent graded challenge; in cases of grade 2 or 3 reactions and/or positive test results, the culprit drug was administered with a desensitization schedule. Skin tests were also performed in 30 control subjects exposed to the taxanes without HSRs.

RESULTS: A total of 84 patients (63 with HSRs to paclitaxel and 21 to docetaxel) were recruited in the period July 2015 to July 2017 by 8 centers; 58 patients (69%) developed grade 2 or 3 reactions. Prick test results were negative in all the cases, whereas intradermal test results were positive in 14 patients (10 with paclitaxel [15.9%] and 4 with docetaxel [19%]). The positivity of skin tests significantly correlated with grade 3 reactions and cutaneous involvement during HSRs. Graded challenge was performed in 16 patients without problems and 58 subjects underwent desensitization, which was well tolerated in all but 2 cases. In the control group, skin test results were negative in all the patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Skin tests for taxanes seem useful and can be performed in the allergological workup of subjects with HSRs to these agents, especially in cases of severe reactions with cutaneous involvement.