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Pigmentary changes in patients treated with targeted anticancer agents: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Julia Dai1, Viswanath R Belum2, Shenhong Wu3

  • 1Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York; Department of Dermatology, Stanford University, Stanford, California.

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
|September 19, 2017
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Targeted anticancer therapies can cause significant skin and hair pigmentary changes, affecting over 17% of patients. Early counseling and management are crucial for patient quality of life.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Targeted anticancer agents are developed based on oncogenic signaling pathways.
  • The incidence and risk of pigmentary adverse events from these targeted therapies are not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze clinical trials.
  • To determine the incidence and risk of pigmentary changes induced by targeted anticancer therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature search for clinical trials reporting pigmentary changes.
  • Calculation of incidence and relative risk.
  • Review of case reports/series for clinical characteristics.

Main Results:

  • 8052 patients from 36 trials were analyzed.
  • Incidence of skin and hair pigmentary changes were 17.7% and 21.5%, respectively.
  • Epidermal growth factor receptor and BCR-ABL inhibitors were common causative agents.

Conclusions:

  • Targeted anticancer therapies pose a significant risk of pigmentary changes.
  • Under-reporting and variability in reporting are potential limitations.
  • Patient counseling and management are essential to mitigate psychosocial impact.
Keywords:
cabozantinibdepigmentationdyspigmentationhyperpigmentationhypopigmentationimatinibipilimumabnivolumabpazopanibpembrolizumabpigmentaryrepigmentationsorafenibsunitinibvitiligo

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