Dermatologic toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents

Due to its high metabolic rate, skin represents one of the major target organs of chemotherapy-associated toxicity. Reactions range from common, nonspecific exanthematous eruptions to rare but distinctive cutaneous lesions that may not become apparent until a drug transitions from clinical trials to widespread oncologic use. The challenge of the physician is to recognize reaction patterns that reflect a drug reaction, identify a likely causative drug, and determine whether the reaction is a dose-limiting toxicity. This review will focus on the cutaneous side effects of the newer classes of chemotherapy drugs, including targeted monoclonal antibody therapy and small molecule inhibitors.