Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to targeted agents: vemurafinib among suspects!

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome features reversible cortical neurologic dysfunction and characteristic findings on brain imaging studies. This syndrome can be caused by several agents including traditional chemotherapy and immunosuppressive drugs. Targeted therapies such as agents binding vascular endothelial growth factor/VEGFR, CD20 and cytotoxic T-cell lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) antigens are also among the culprits. Vemurafenib is a BRAF gene inhibitor that has not been previously linked with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome. We report herein the first such case and believe that further studies confirming this association are warranted. We further review the existing posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome cases associated with targeted therapies in the scientific literature.