Ophthalmic Adverse Events of Systemic Immunotherapy and Targeted Cancer Therapy: A Review

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Ophthalmology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Systemic anti-cancer treatments, including immunotherapy and targeted therapies, have revolutionized cancer care and improved patient survival rates.
• The expanding use of these novel therapies has led to the increasing recognition of ophthalmic toxicities as significant adverse effects.
• Ophthalmic complications can impact patient quality of life and treatment adherence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the pathophysiology of ocular adverse events associated with modern cancer therapies.
• To describe the clinical spectrum of ophthalmic toxicities linked to various classes of anti-cancer drugs.
• To outline current management strategies for managing these vision-related side effects.

Main Methods:

• This review synthesizes current literature on ophthalmic toxicities from systemic anti-cancer treatments.
• It covers immune checkpoint inhibitors, and targeted therapies including MEK, BRAF, FGFR, ERK, EGFR, HER2, BTK, FLT-3, Bcr-Abl, ALK inhibitors, and antibody-drug conjugates.
• Pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and management are discussed.

Main Results:

• Ophthalmic adverse events are a growing concern with advanced cancer treatments.
• A wide range of ocular toxicities can occur, varying by drug class.
• Understanding the mechanisms is key to effective management.

Conclusions:

• Ophthalmologists and oncologists must be vigilant for ocular side effects of systemic cancer therapies.
• Early recognition and appropriate management can mitigate vision loss and improve patient outcomes.
• Further research is needed to optimize treatment protocols and minimize ocular morbidity.