Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions to Targeted Chemotherapeutic Drugs: A Clinico-Epidemiological Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Targeted chemotherapeutic drugs have significantly improved cancer patient survival rates.
• These advanced treatments are associated with an increased incidence of specific, uncommon mucocutaneous adverse effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the range of cutaneous adverse drug reactions associated with targeted chemotherapies.
• To establish a causal link between these drugs and observed mucocutaneous reactions.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based descriptive study was conducted in a dermatology outpatient department.
• Data were collected from patients referred from a state cancer institute between August 2016 and July 2018.
• Patients included had developed mucocutaneous lesions post-initiation of targeted chemotherapeutic drugs.

Main Results:

• Eighty patients experienced one or more uncommon mucocutaneous adverse effects.
• The most frequent reactions included papulopustular/acneiform eruptions (26.25%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (20.00%).
• Other observed reactions were lichenoid drug eruption (10%), flagellate dermatitis (6.25%), PRIDE complex (3 patients), and nail changes like melanonychia (27.5%).

Conclusions:

• The advent of targeted chemotherapy has shifted cancer management paradigms, increasing the occurrence of specific drug reactions.
• Prompt recognition of these mucocutaneous adverse events is crucial for reducing patient morbidity.
• Early diagnosis and management improve patient quality of life and enable the continuation of life-saving chemotherapy.