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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
Oral Health Assessment by Lay Personnel for Older Adults
Published on: February 2, 2020
Targeted cancer therapies: Oral health care implications
Background:
Targeted treatments have been incorporated into oncology protocols, often with more traditional therapies, and are not totally free of adverse reactions, some of which affect the orofacial region.
Methods:
The authors searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the US Food and Drug Administration Approved Drug Products database to identify reported adverse effects of targeted agents in the orofacial region as well as other implications in oral health care. Their principal focus was the relatively newer category of molecularly targeted drugs which are called small molecules (SMs).
Results:
The authors identified several categories of SMs and biological agents (for example, monoclonal antibodies) with adverse effects in the orofacial region. The oral and perioral regions are also fields for which there are therapeutic applications for targeted therapies, particularly to treat malignant neoplasms such as head and neck cancers.
Conclusions:
SMs are the most rapidly growing group of targeted cancer treatments. Patients receiving SMs and other targeted antineoplastic agents may require oral medicine advice and special-care dentistry.
Practical Implications:
In this narrative review, the authors focus mainly on the orofacial adverse effects of targeted cancer therapies and outline many of the agents that are in use so the dentally focused reader can familiarize themselves with these adverse effects and agents.
Insights
Targeted cancer therapies, including small molecules (SMs), can cause orofacial side effects. Dental professionals should be aware of these adverse effects and provide specialized oral care for patients undergoing these treatments.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Oral Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Targeted cancer therapies are increasingly used alongside traditional treatments.
- These therapies, while effective, can cause adverse reactions, particularly in the orofacial region.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the orofacial adverse effects of targeted cancer therapies.
- To identify specific small molecules (SMs) and biological agents causing these effects.
- To inform dental professionals about potential oral health implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and FDA drug approvals.
- Focus on molecularly targeted drugs, specifically small molecules (SMs).
- Identification of reported orofacial adverse effects and oral health implications.
Main Results:
- Several categories of SMs and biological agents cause orofacial adverse effects.
- Targeted therapies are also used to treat oral and perioral malignant neoplasms, including head and neck cancers.
- Small molecules represent a rapidly growing class of targeted cancer treatments.
Conclusions:
- Patients on targeted antineoplastic agents may need oral medicine consultation and special dental care.
- Awareness of orofacial adverse effects is crucial for dental practitioners managing patients on targeted therapies.
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