This side effect was caused by the drug panitumumab.
Doctors at the University Hospital of Ferrol (Spain) described in the scientific journal JAMA Dermatology a rare side effect due to chemotherapy in a patient who was treated for colon cancer.
The man's eyelashes became longer, thicker and also curled during the therapy. The reason for this was drug-induced trichomegaly. With this diagnosis, the length of the eyelashes exceeds 12 mm, their thickness increases and curl occurs.
Scientists note this side effect is caused by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which include the chemotherapy drug panitumumab. This is the drug that the patient was being treated with.
When panitumumumab causes hair growth during therapy, it shows up in the first few months of treatment. But this effect goes away after chemotherapy is completed.
The article notes that the man had to trim his eyelashes, doctors told him how to do it safely.
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