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Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Cutaneous Adverse Events of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in Endocrine Tumors: Clinical Features, Mechanisms, and
Marta Marino1,2, Francois Rosset3, Alice Nervo2
1Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
Abstract:
Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are crucial to treating endocrine-related malignancies, including advanced thyroid cancers and neuroendocrine tumors, but their benefit is tempered by cutaneous adverse events (CAEs) that impair adherence and quality of life. Objective: To summarize the dermatologic toxicities of TKIs used in endocrine oncology and provide practical, multidisciplinary guidance for prevention and management. Methods: Narrative synthesis of clinical trial reports, post-marketing studies, and specialty guidelines pertinent to lenvatinib, vandetanib, cabozantinib, and other commonly used TKIs, integrating dermatologic and endocrine perspectives on mechanisms and care pathways. Results: VEGFR-targeted TKIs frequently cause hand-foot skin reaction, xerosis, fissuring, paronychia, and impaired wound healing; multikinase inhibition also produces alopecia, pigmentary changes, and mucositis. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and rearranged during transfection (RET) inhibition with vandetanib is associated with acneiform eruption, photosensitivity, and nail fragility. Pathogenesis reflects on-target inhibition of VEGF/EGFR signaling leading to keratinocyte dysfunction, vascular fragility, and altered eccrine mechanics. Early risk stratification, patient education, and bundle-based prophylaxis (emollients, keratolytics, urea-based creams, sun protection) reduce incidence and severity. Grade-based algorithms combining topical corticosteroids/antibiotics, dose interruptions or reductions, and short systemic courses (e.g., doxycycline, antihistamines) enable symptom control while maintaining anticancer intensity. Close coordination around procedures minimizes wound-healing complications. Conclusions: Dermatologic toxicities are predictable, mechanism-linked, and manageable with proactive, multidisciplinary care. Standardized prevention and treatment pathways tailored to specific TKIs-particularly lenvatinib, vandetanib, and cabozantinib-can preserve dose intensity, optimize quality of life, and sustain antineoplastic efficacy.
Insights
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) cause skin issues in endocrine cancer patients. Proactive, multidisciplinary care and specific management strategies can mitigate these side effects, improving quality of life and treatment efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are vital for endocrine malignancies but cause cutaneous adverse events (CAEs), impacting patient adherence and quality of life.
- Common CAEs include hand-foot skin reaction, xerosis, paronychia, and impaired wound healing, alongside alopecia and mucositis.
- Specific TKIs like vandetanib are linked to acneiform eruptions and photosensitivity due to EGFR/RET inhibition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the dermatologic toxicities associated with TKIs in endocrine oncology.
- To provide practical, multidisciplinary guidance for the prevention and management of these CAEs.
- To integrate dermatologic and endocrine perspectives on TKI-induced skin toxicities.
Main Methods:
- Narrative synthesis of clinical trial reports, post-marketing studies, and specialty guidelines.
- Focus on TKIs such as lenvatinib, vandetanib, and cabozantinib.
- Integration of dermatologic and endocrine expertise for mechanism and care pathway analysis.
Main Results:
- VEGFR-targeted TKIs commonly induce hand-foot skin reactions, xerosis, fissuring, paronychia, and impaired wound healing.
- Multikinase inhibition can lead to alopecia, pigmentary changes, and mucositis.
- Early risk stratification, patient education, and prophylactic bundles (emollients, keratolytics, urea, sun protection) reduce CAE incidence and severity.
Conclusions:
- Dermatologic toxicities from TKIs are predictable, mechanism-based, and manageable.
- Proactive, multidisciplinary care is essential for managing TKI-induced CAEs.
- Standardized pathways for TKI-specific prevention and treatment can maintain dose intensity, enhance quality of life, and support antineoplastic efficacy.
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