Cutaneous adverse reactions resulting from targeted cancer therapies: histopathologic and clinical findings

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Targeted cancer treatments offer an alternative to conventional chemotherapy by interfering with specific molecular pathways.
• While effective, these therapies are associated with a range of adverse cutaneous effects.
• Understanding these dermatologic toxicities is essential for managing patients undergoing targeted cancer therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize clinically significant dermatologic toxicities associated with targeted cancer drugs.
• To correlate these toxicities with their underlying histopathologic findings.
• To provide a comprehensive overview of predictable cutaneous reactions based on drug mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of case reports and series, clinical trials, reviews, and meta-analyses.
• Analysis and summarization of reported dermatologic side effects and their histopathologic features.
• Focus on common and significant reaction patterns observed with targeted cancer therapies.

Main Results:

• Cutaneous side effects from targeted cancer therapies can occur with incidences as high as 90%.
• Common reaction patterns include acneiform eruptions, neutrophilic dermatoses, hand-foot skin reactions, secondary cutaneous malignancies, and alopecia.
• Many adverse skin reactions are predictable based on the drug's mechanism of action.

Conclusions:

• Targeted cancer therapies frequently cause diverse and predictable dermatologic toxicities.
• Clinical and histopathologic recognition of these side effects is vital for optimal patient management.
• This review underscores the importance of dermatologic monitoring in patients receiving targeted cancer treatments.