To analyze the occurrence and clinical characteristics of skin adverse reactions caused by vemurafenib, and provide reference for clinical safe drug use.

The literatures about skin adverse reactions of vemurafenib were retrieved from Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI, VIP database and Wanfang data, and then analyzed and summarized.

A total of 41 cases of ADRs induced by vemurafenib were reported. Most of them aged from 41 to 70 years old (n=25, 61.0%). Most of them occurred within 15 d after medication (n=22, 53.7%). The main clinical manifestations of skin system ADRs induced by vemurafenib were lipiditis (12 cases, 29.3%), leukocytoclastic vasculitis (n=6, 14.6%), granulomatous dermatitis (n=5, 12.2%), photosensitive dermatitis (n=4, 9.8%), radioactive dermatitis (n=3, 7.3%), and hyperkeratosis (n=3, 7.3%). Thirty-four cases were cured or improved after ADRs, of whom 27 cases (65.9%) resumed vemurafenib treatment, and 7 cases discontinued, including granulomatous dermatitis (2 cases), toxic epidermal necrolysis (1 case), cutaneous vasculitis (2 cases), and photosensitive dermatitis (2 cases). Among the 27 patients who restarted vemurafenib treatment, 21 cases maintained the original dose, 5 cases reduced the original dose to 3/4, 1 case reduced the original dose by half, and ADRs occurred again in 9 patients.

Drug monitoring should be strengthened during the clinical use of vemurafenib, especially for the occurrence of ADR within 15 d after drug administration, potential ADRs should be detected in time, appropriate prevention and treatment measures should be taken, and the treatment risk after resumption of treatment should be carefully evaluated.