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Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Kinase Inhibitor Screening In Self-assembled Human Protein Microarrays
Published on: October 23, 2019
Endocrine side effects of broad-acting kinase inhibitors
Maya B Lodish1, Constantine A Stratakis
1Section on Endocrinology Genetics, Program on Developmental Endocrinology Genetics, Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD Pediatric Endocrinology Inter-Institute Training Program, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. lodishma@mail.nih.gov
Abstract:
Targeted therapy in oncology consists of drugs that specifically interfere with abnormal signaling pathways that are dysregulated in cancer cells. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) take advantage of unique oncogenes that are activated in certain types of cancer, and also target common mechanisms of growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis. However, many kinase inhibitors for cancer therapy are somewhat nonselective, and most have additional mechanisms of action at the cellular level, which are not completely understood. The use of these agents has increased our knowledge of important side effects, of which the practicing clinician must be aware. Recently, proposed endocrine-related side effects of these agents include alterations in thyroid function, bone metabolism, linear growth, gonadal function, fetal development, and glucose metabolism, and adrenal function. This review summarizes the most recent data on the endocrine side effects of TKIs.
Insights
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) offer targeted cancer therapy but can cause endocrine side effects. This review details recent findings on TKI-induced alterations in thyroid, bone, growth, gonadal, fetal, glucose, and adrenal function.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Targeted cancer therapy utilizes drugs that interfere with cancer-specific signaling pathways.
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are a class of targeted drugs used in oncology.
- While effective, TKIs can have non-selective actions and poorly understood cellular mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the most recent data on endocrine-related side effects associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).
- To inform clinicians about the spectrum of endocrine adverse events linked to TKI therapy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies and clinical data.
- Synthesis of information on endocrine side effects of TKIs.
Main Results:
- TKIs are associated with a range of endocrine side effects.
- These include alterations in thyroid function, bone metabolism, linear growth, gonadal function, fetal development, glucose metabolism, and adrenal function.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians must be aware of the potential endocrine side effects of TKIs.
- Understanding these side effects is crucial for managing patients undergoing TKI therapy.
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