Dermatologic adverse events to chemotherapeutic agents, part 1: cytotoxics, epidermal growth factor receptors, multikinase inhibitors, and proteasome inhibitors

Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2014 Mar;33(1):28-39. doi: 10.12788/j.sder.0060.

Abstract

Dermatologic toxicities have profound effects on patients receiving chemotherapy for cancer treatment. Cytotoxic chemotherapies are associated with a number of nonspecific dermatologic adverse events including alopecia, mucositis, and onychodystrophy. Targeted therapies including epidermal growth factor inhibitors, multikinase inhibitors, and proteasome inhibitors are associated with different skin reactions that are class-specific. In Part 1 of this review, we examine the presentations of the most common dermatologic adverse events associated with the above drugs and discuss the strategies used for their prevention and treatment.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Alopecia / therapy
  • Cytotoxins / adverse effects*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / etiology*
  • Drug Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Edema / chemically induced
  • Edema / therapy
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Erythema / chemically induced
  • Erythema / therapy
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / complications
  • Humans
  • Mucositis / chemically induced
  • Mucositis / therapy
  • Nail Diseases / chemically induced
  • Nail Diseases / therapy
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neutrophils / metabolism
  • Pigmentation Disorders / chemically induced
  • Pigmentation Disorders / therapy
  • Proteasome Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Radiodermatitis / etiology
  • Radiodermatitis / therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / chemically induced

Substances

  • Cytotoxins
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors