Skin Manifestations of Targeted Antineoplastic Therapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Recent advancements in targeted anticancer therapies have transformed oncology patient management.
• Cutaneous adverse effects are common toxicities associated with targeted agents, potentially limiting treatment duration or dosage.
• Different classes of targeted therapies are associated with distinct dermatological side effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the spectrum of cutaneous adverse effects associated with novel targeted anticancer therapies.
• To correlate specific drug classes with their characteristic skin toxicities.
• To inform clinical management strategies for managing these common side effects.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of targeted anticancer therapies and their reported cutaneous toxicities.
• Categorization of adverse effects based on drug class (e.g., tyrosine kinase inhibitors, epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, SMO inhibitors).
• Synthesis of information on the incidence and clinical presentation of common skin toxicities.

Main Results:

• Tyrosine kinase inhibitors frequently cause maculopapular rash and hand-foot reactions.
• Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are associated with papulopustular rash, paronychia, hair changes, and skin dryness.
• SMO inhibitors, such as vismodegib and sonidegib, can lead to muscle spasms and alopecia.

Conclusions:

• Cutaneous adverse effects are a significant challenge in the management of patients receiving targeted anticancer therapies.
• Recognizing the specific skin toxicities linked to different targeted agents is essential for timely intervention and treatment adherence.
• Effective management of these side effects can improve patient outcomes and treatment tolerance.