Aprepitant as an Antipruritic Agent?

Abstract

To the Editor: The Sézary syndrome is a leukemic, cutaneous, epidermotropic T-cell lymphoma. Pruritus, insomnia, and depression impair the quality of life and can lead to suicide.1 Substance P is a key mediator of pruritus.2 An increase in the expression of its receptor, neurokinin-1, has been reported on keratinocytes in pruritic skin diseases.3 Aprepitant is an oral neurokinin-1–receptor antagonist.4 It is widely used as an antiemetic agent in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.5 However, its action suggests a potential reduction in substance P–induced pruritus, even though pruritus is considered a rare side effect of this drug. We report on three patients . . .