Dermatologic Toxicities of Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Head and neck cancer treatment involves multidisciplinary collaboration to manage tumor burden and preserve organ function.
• Emerging targeted therapies introduce novel adverse events, particularly dermatologic toxicities.
• These toxicities range from mild xerosis and rash to severe conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the dermatologic toxicities associated with seven targeted therapeutics used in head and neck cancer treatment.
• To detail the grades of severity and underlying pathophysiology of these skin-related adverse events.
• To equip clinicians with knowledge for comprehensive patient counseling and treatment management.

Main Methods:

• Review and synthesis of literature on dermatologic toxicities.
• Categorization of toxicities by drug and severity grade.
• Description of the pathophysiology for each drug-induced dermatologic event.

Main Results:

• Seven targeted therapeutics (cetuximab, trastuzumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, lentatinib, larotrectinib, entrectinib) were analyzed.
• Dermatologic toxicities include xerosis, nail/hair changes, various rashes, and severe eruptions.
• Pathophysiology and grading of severity for each drug's associated skin toxicities were detailed.

Conclusions:

• Clinicians must be familiar with the spectrum of dermatologic toxicities from targeted head and neck cancer therapies.
• Knowledge of these toxicities facilitates patient counseling, preventative strategies, and informed treatment adjustments (holding or stopping therapy).
• Proactive management of dermatologic adverse events is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and treatment adherence.