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

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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