Semiology of skin toxicity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors

Mechanism of action of adapalene for treating EGFR-TKI-induced skin disorder

BACKGROUND

Skin disorders are the most common side effect associated with epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) therapy. It is important to manage skin lesions. Adapalene has been used to treat skin lesions caused by EGFR-TKIs in some cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional mechanism of adapalene in erlotinib-induced skin disorder.

METHODS

To analyze the effect of adapalene on skin rash, afatinib and adapalene were administered to mice. The relationship between the concentration of adapalene and skin disorders was also examined by analyzing AQP3 expression. A skin lesion model was experimentally established in human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT) by using erlotinib with TNF-α and IL-1β. We used qRT-PCR to analyze chemokine-induced inflammation and western blotting to analyze the effects of adapalene on the NF-κB signaling pathway. Antimicrobial peptides and adhesion factors were also examined using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Mice administered 0.01% adapalene had less skin inflammation than mice treated with afatinib alone. The expression level of AQP3 decreased in an adapalene concentration-dependent manner. The mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines such as CCL2 and CCL27 in HaCaT cells were significantly reduced by adapalene. The expression of an antimicrobial peptide, hBD3, was upregulated after adapalene treatment. Adhesion factors, such as E-cadherin, were significantly downregulated by EGFR-TKI and significantly upregulated by adapalene treatment. Western blot analysis suggested that erlotinib-induced phosphorylation of p65 was decreased by adapalene.

CONCLUSION

We suggest that adapalene may be a possible treatment option for skin disorders induced by EGFR-TKIs.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Erlotinib Induces Dry Skin via Decreased in Aquaporin-3 Expression

An adverse reaction of dry skin occurs frequently during treatment with anticancer epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs). In this study, we conducted basic research to clarify the mechanism of EGFR-TKI-induced dry skin and propose new treatments or preventative measures. Dermal water content was significantly lower in the erlotinib-treated mice than in the control group. An assessment of the expression levels of functional genes in the skin revealed that only the expression of the water channel aquaporin-3 (AQP3) was significantly decreased in the erlotinib-treated group. When erlotinib was added to epidermal keratinocyte HaCaT cells, the expression levels of both AQP3 mRNA and protein decreased. Erlotinib treatment also significantly decreased the expression levels of phospho-EGFR and phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), both in HaCaT cells and mouse skin. Dry skin due to erlotinib may be caused by the decreased expression of AQP3 in the skin, thereby limiting water transport from the vascular side to the corneum side. The decrease in AQP3 may also be attributable to ERK suppression via inhibition of EGFR activity by erlotinib. Therefore, substances that increase AQP3 expression may be effective for erlotinib-induced dry skin.

Relationships between quality of life and skin toxicities of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors in cancer patients: A literature review

AIM

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are used as treatments for various cancers, but the associated skin toxicities affect quality of life (QoL). The aim of this review is to document the relationship between skin toxicity and QoL of cancer patients, and to identify implications for clinical practice and subjects for future studies.

METHODS

Electronic databases were searched systematically and all studies examining aspects of health-related QoL in patients receiving EGFR inhibitor treatments for cancer.

RESULTS

A total of 25 published studies met the criteria for inclusion. Some cancer patients maintained their health conditions by recognizing that skin toxicities are correlated with the efficacy of EGFR inhibitor therapy, yet QoL declined in all functional evaluations. In particular, QoL was low in patients above 81 years of age and in those under 50 years of age.

CONCLUSION

Improved understanding of the pain due to skin toxicity is required in all age groups, particularly in elderly and young cancer patients. In addition, further studies are required to define long-term changes in QoL among patients receiving EGFR inhibitors for cancer. Healthcare professionals need to help patients to maintain subjective health conditions by understanding relationships between skin toxicity and therapeutic effects. To this end, assessments of patients who are prone to QoL decline due to skin toxicity are critical so that skin management can be started during early stages.

Evaluating vandetanib in the treatment of medullary thyroid cancer: patient-reported outcomes

Medullary thyroid cancers (MTCs) are neuroendocrine tumors, which secrete calcitonin and carcinoembryonic antigen, both of which can serve as tumor markers. Extensive and accurate surgical resection is the primary treatment for MTC, whereas the use of external beam radiotherapy is limited. Moreover, since MTC is derived from thyroid parafollicular cells or C cells, it is not responsive to either radioiodine or thyroid-stimulating hormone suppression, and therefore, they cannot be considered as treatment strategies. Traditional therapies for advanced or metastatic progressive medullary thyroid cancer (pMTC) are poorly effective. Among the new approaches tested in clinical trials, targeted chemotherapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are now available and they represent effective interventions for progressive disease, with additional investigational options emerging. This paper reviews the efficacy and safety of vandetanib in patients with a pMTC, as it has been shown to improve progression-free survival (30.5 vs 19.3 months in controls). Vandetanib is approved by the FDA and EMA for symptomatic or progressive MTC in patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic disease in adults, adolescents, and children older than 5 years. The most common adverse events in vandetanib-treated patients are diarrhea, rash, folliculitis, nausea, QTc prolongation, hypertension, and fatigue. More data are required to deepen our knowledge on molecular biology of tumor and host defense, with the aim to achieve better prognosis and higher quality of life for affected patients.

Panitumumab-based maintenance after oxaliplatin discontinuation in metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective analysis of two randomised trials

Panitumumab is approved for RAS wild‐type metastatic colorectal cancer and was evaluated in Phase III (PRIME, NCT00364013) and Phase II (PEAK, NCT00819780) first‐line randomised studies. This retrospective analysis of these trials investigated efficacy and toxicity of panitumumab‐based maintenance after oxaliplatin discontinuation in RAS wild‐type patients. First‐line regimens were FOLFOX4 ± panitumumab in PRIME and mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab or mFOLFOX6 plus bevacizumab in PEAK. Outcomes included median progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), from randomisation and oxaliplatin discontinuation, and toxicity. Overall, median duration of panitumumab plus 5‐fluorouracil/leucovorin (5‐FU/LV) maintenance was 21 (interquartile range: 11–41) weeks; that of 5‐FU/LV ± bevacizumab maintenance was 16 (6–31) weeks. Median OS from randomisation was 40.2 (95% confidence interval: 30.3–50.4) and 39.1 (34.2–63.0) months for panitumumab plus 5‐FU/LV maintenance and 24.1 (17.7–33.0) and 28.9 (21.0–32.0) months for 5‐FU/LV ± bevacizumab maintenance in PRIME and PEAK, respectively. Median PFS from randomisation was 16.6 (11.3–23.6) and 15.4 (11.6–18.4) months for panitumumab plus 5‐FU/LV maintenance and 12.6 (9.4–16.2) and 13.1 (9.5–16.6) months for 5‐FU/LV ± bevacizumab maintenance in PRIME and PEAK, respectively. From oxaliplatin discontinuation, median OS was 33.9 (24.7–42.8) and 33.5 (24.5–54.9) months for panitumumab plus 5‐FU/LV maintenance and 16.4 (12.4–24.1) and 23.3 (15.7–26.3) months for 5‐FU/LV ± bevacizumab maintenance in PRIME and PEAK, respectively; PFS was 11.7 (7.8–19.2) and 9.7 (5.8–14.8) months and 7.1 (5.6–10.2) and 7.0 (3.9–10.6) months, respectively. The most frequently reported adverse events were rash, fatigue and diarrhoea. Maintenance of panitumumab plus 5‐FU/LV after oxaliplatin discontinuation was well tolerated and may be an acceptable treatment paradigm for patients demonstrating a good response to first‐line treatment. Prospective studies are warranted.

What's new?

Panitumumab is an anti‐EGFR antibody used in the treatment of RAS wild‐type metastatic colorectal cancer. But is it useful for long‐term therapy in these patients, especially after more toxic therapies like oxaliplatin are discontinued? In this retrospective analysis, the authors found that a maintenance regimen including panitumumab was well tolerated and may be associated with better outcomes than non‐panitumumab strategies. Patients who received panitumumab‐based maintenance therapy were also more likely to have had a good response to first‐line treatment. The results from this study indicate that further, prospective studies are warranted.

Adverse Medication Reactions

Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are among the most frequent adverse reactions in patients receiving drug therapy. They have a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, are caused by various drugs, and result from different pathophysiological mechanisms. Hence, their diagnosis and management is challenging.

Severe cutaneous ADRs comprise a group of diseases with major morbidity and mortality, reaching 30 % mortality rate in cases of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis.

This chapter covers the terminology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and classification of cutaneous ADR, describes the severe cutaneous ADRs and the clinical and laboratory approach to the patient with cutaneous ADR and presents the translation of laboratory-based discoveries on the genetic predisposition and pathogenesis of cutaneous ADRs to clinical management guidelines.

Cutaneous manifestations of nontargeted and targeted chemotherapies

Care of the oncologic patient requires an integral understanding of the adverse reactions of chemotherapy. With the advent of targeted agents and immunomodulating therapies, reactions to these newer treatments are of clinical interest. Cutaneous side effects of chemotherapeutic agents, including toxic erythema and mucositis, are common and may require cessation of treatment if associated with discomfort, superinfection, or negative impact on quality of life. This article reviews the cutaneous adverse reactions and treatment options of both conventional cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents and newer targeted, multikinase inhibitors and immunomodulating therapies. An understanding of possible cutaneous reactions by all providers involved in the care of the oncologic patient is critical for prompt recognition, allowing for appropriate treatment and referral to dermatologists when necessary.

A prospective clinical trial to assess lapatinib effects on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis

BACKGROUND

Antiepidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted therapy is widely used in many epithelial cancer types. We investigated lapatinib effects on cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) scheduled for resection and in coexisting precursor lesions (actinic keratosis (AK) and Bowen's disease (BD)) in a phase 2 mode of action clinical trial including a histological workup of the cSCC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We initiated a prospective single-centre, open-label, non-controlled clinical study with translational intentions to investigate changes in size and histopathological features in cSCC after a 14-day period of neoadjuvant lapatinib therapy at a dose of 1500 mg/day prior to surgery, to quantify the impact on AK and BD in the same patient after 56 days and to evaluate the tolerability in patients with cSCC and precursor lesions.

RESULTS

10 immunocompetent male patients were included with a mean age of 73 years (range 59-87). 8 patients were treated with the study medication lapatinib 1500 mg/day for a total duration of 56 days according to the protocol and were available for full analysis, whereas 2 patients had to discontinue treatment during the first 2 weeks because of adverse events (diarrhoea, pancreatitis). Tolerability was acceptable with only 1 related grade III adverse event. A reduction in tumour size of cSCC was documented in 2 of 8 evaluable patients after 14 days of treatment. The mean regression of captured precursor lesions was 30% after 56 days of treatment and 36% 28 days after therapy cessation.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term lapatinib resulted in a cSCC tumour reduction in 2 of 8 patients. In addition, there was a clinically documented reduction of AK in 7 of 8 patients encouraging larger clinical trials, especially in high-risk patients with cSCC such as organ transplant recipients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT0166431.

Prospective noninterventional study on the use of panitumumab monotherapy in patients with recurrent or progressive colorectal cancer: the VECTIS study

Purpose

Epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted monoclonal antibodies are active as monotherapy beyond second-line treatment. Skin toxicities (STs) are common during treatment, and a positive association between ST severity and patient outcome has been reported. This study collected information on panitumumab monotherapy use in patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer in clinical practice.

Methods

This open-label, prospective, observational, noninterventional study included adult patients who had failed prior chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, oxaliplatin, and irinotecan. Patients received panitumumab monotherapy (6 mg/kg every 2 weeks) for ≤18 cycles. Effectiveness was assessed as disease control rate (DCR), tumor response, and freedom from progression. The incidence of ST and other adverse drug reactions (ADRs) was recorded, as were Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) and quality of life. The KRAS analysis process was also evaluated.

Findings

The full analysis set included 632 patients (64.6% male; mean age, 62.3 years), who completed a mean of 9.6 panitumumab cycles. ST, mainly grade 1/2, occurred in 84.3% of patients, 82.7% of whom required treatment. Nonskin ADRs occurred in 3.5% of patients. By the end of treatment, the DCR was 58.9% overall, and was 53.8% and 62.7%, respectively in patients with ST grade 0/1 and grade 2/3. Significant associations were observed between maximum ST grade and best response (P=0.0009), DCR (P=0.0046), tumor response (P=0.0002), and freedom from progression (P=0.0084). At the end of the study, 67.4% of the patients had an ECOG PS of 0/1. Quality of life was rated as “very good” or “good” in 70.3% of patients. Mean time to obtain KRAS results was 18.2 days; satisfaction with different aspects of KRAS testing was “very good” or “good” in 80%–97% of patients.

Conclusion

Panitumumab monotherapy showed adequate effectiveness and safety in patients with heavily pretreated KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer. The most common ADR was grade 1/2 ST.

Selective use of vandetanib in the treatment of thyroid cancer

Vandetanib is a once-daily orally available tyrosine kinase inhibitor that works by blocking RET (REarranged during Transfection), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR-2, VEGFR-3), and epidermal growth factor receptor and to a lesser extent VEGFR-1, which are important targets in thyroid cancer (TC). It is emerging as a potentially effective option in the treatment of advanced medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) and in dedifferentiated papillary thyroid cancer not responsive to radioiodine. The most important effect of vandetanib in aggressive MTC is a prolongation of progression-free survival and a stabilization of the disease. Significant side effects have been observed with the vandetanib therapy (as fatigue, hypertension, QTc prolongation, cutaneous rash, hand-and-foot syndrome, diarrhea, etc), and severe side effects can require the suspension of the drug. Several studies are currently under way to evaluate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of vandetanib in MTC and in dedifferentiated papillary TC. The efficacy of vandetanib in patients with MTC in long-term treatments could be overcome by the resistance to the drug. However, the effectiveness of the treatment could be ameliorated by the molecular characterization of the tumor and by the possibility to test the sensitivity of primary TC cells from each subject to different tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Association studies are evaluating the effect of the association of vandetanib with other antineoplastic agents (such as irinotecan, bortezomib, etc). Further research is needed to determine the ideal therapy to obtain the best response in terms of survival and quality of life.

Dermatologic adverse events in pediatric patients receiving targeted anticancer therapies: a pooled analysis

BACKGROUND

The dermatologic adverse events (AEs) of various molecularly targeted therapies are well-described in adult cancer patients. Little has been reported on the incidence and clinical presentation of such AEs in pediatric patients with cancer. To address this gap, we analyzed the dermatologic AEs reported across clinical trials of targeted anticancer therapies in pediatric patients.

PROCEDURES

We conducted an electronic literature search (PubMed, American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meetings' abstracts, ClinicalTrials.gov, NCI's Pediatric Oncology Branch webpage) to identify clinical trials involving targeted anticancer therapies that reported dermatologic AEs in their safety data. Studies were limited to the pediatric population, monotherapy trials (oncology), and English language publications.

RESULTS

Pooled data from 19 clinical studies investigating 11 targeted anticancer agents (alemtuzumab, rituximab, imatinib, dasatinib, erlotinib, vandetanib, sorafenib, cabozantinib, pazopanib, everolimus, and temsirolimus) were analyzed. The most frequently encountered dermatologic AEs were rash (127/660; 19%), xerosis (18/100; 18%), mucositis (68/402; 17%), and pruritus (12/169; 7%). Other AEs included pigmentary abnormalities of the skin/hair (13%), hair disorders (trichomegaly, hypertrichosis, alopecia, and madarosis; 14%), urticaria (7%), palmoplantar erythrodysesthesia (7%), erythema, acne, purpura, skin fissures, other 'unknown skin changes', exanthem, infection, flushing, telangiectasia, and photosensitivity.

CONCLUSION

This study describes the dermatologic manifestations of targeted anticancer therapy-related AEs in the pediatric population. Since these AEs are often associated with significant morbidity, it is imperative that pediatric oncologists be familiar with their recognition and management, to avoid unnecessary dose modifications and/or termination, and to prevent impairments in patients' quality of life.

Management of egfr tki-induced dermatologic adverse events

Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (egfr) pathway has become standard practice for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Compared with chemotherapy, egfr tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tkis) have been associated with improved efficacy in patients with an EGFR mutation. Together with the increase in efficacy comes an adverse event (ae) profile different from that of chemotherapy. That profile includes three of the most commonly occurring dermatologic aes: acneiform rash, stomatitis, and paronychia. Currently, no randomized clinical trials have evaluated the treatments for the dermatologic aes that patients experience when taking egfr tkis. Based on the expert opinion of the authors, some basic strategies have been developed to manage those key dermatologic aes. Those strategies have the potential to improve patient quality of life and compliance and to prevent inappropriate dose reductions.

Non-rash dermatologic adverse events related to targeted therapies

OBJECTIVES

To provide background information and management strategies for non-rash dermatological adverse events.

DATA SOURCES

Peer-reviewed journal articles, professional manuals, online sources.

CONCLUSION

During the last decade, many dermatological adverse events of targeted therapy have been reported, including xerosis, skin fissures, pruritus, photosensitivity, pigmentation changes, hair and nail changes, hand-foot skin reaction, squamoproliferative lesions, Stevens-Johnsons syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Although evidenced-based treatment options are scarce, many recommendations have been described in the literature that should be considered to apply in daily practice.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Nursing practice will be enhanced by education, assessment, and management recommendations.

Randomized, open-label trial evaluating the preventive effect of tetracycline on afatinib induced-skin toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

Afatinib has shown long progression free survival and improvement in quality of life in advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) patients. Although afatinib causes acneiform rash, it can be manageable. Tetracyclines are usually used to treat it; nonetheless, there is no trial that evaluates their prophylactic efficacy on afatinib induced-skin toxicities (AIST).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This open-label, randomized, controlled trial assessed the preventive effect of tetracycline for reducing afatinib-skin toxicities in NSCLC patients receiving afatinib 40 mg/day. Patients were randomly assigned to receive pre-emptive treatment with tetracycline 250 mg every 12h for 4 weeks or not. Reactive treatment in both groups included general dermatological recommendations such as use of skin moisturizers, sunscreen and topical steroids, according to toxicity severity. All patients were blindly monitored for skin toxicities by an expert dermatologist at the start of treatment with afatinib (day 0), weeks 2 and 4 of treatment. The protocol is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01880515).

RESULTS

We included 90 patients, no differences were found in clinical and dermatological baseline characteristics. Rash incidence of any grade, and grade ≥2 was less frequent in the pre-emptive arm vs. the control arm (44.5 vs. 75.6%, RR 0.4 [95% CI 0.17-0.99], p=0.046 and 15.6 vs. 35.6%, RR 0.35 [95% CI, 0.12-0.91], p=0.030, respectively). No difference was found in paronychia, xerosis, mucositis, folliculitis, and skin fissure. No adverse event was associated with tetracycline. Neither rash nor pre-emptive tetracycline impacted on response rate, progression-free or overall survivals.

CONCLUSION

Pre-emptive tetracycline was well tolerated and reduced the rash incidence and severity associated with afatinib in more than 60%.

Acneiform Rash Induced by EGFR Inhibitors: Review of the Literature and New Insights

Acneiform rash is the most common side effect of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (EGFRis), and it occurs in 50-100% of patients. This condition can affect the quality of life of these patients and can sometimes lead to a discontinuation of the antineoplastic therapy. Several recent prospective studies have addressed and evaluated different interventions to mitigate or reduce the severity of EGFRis-associated skin rash. With this aim, we have established a dermocosmetological outpatient clinic for cancer patients at the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II in collaboration with the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami. An interdisciplinary network of physicians can improve the quality of life of the cancer patients, focusing on such important aspects as dermocosmetological skin care, but also on the evaluation of new therapeutic and diagnostic algorithms in order to make further progress in the field of prevention. In this review, we summarize the state of the art of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of EGFRis acneiform rash, and we describe our outpatient clinical experience.

IL-33/IL-31 axis: a new pathological mechanisms for EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors-associated skin toxicity

The dermatologic side effects are the most common adverse effects associated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Although the mechanisms underlying the development of the skin toxicity remain unclear, immunological mechanisms are considered to be involved. A possible correlation between plasma levels of certain cytokines and development of skin toxicity has been reported. The aim of this work was to investigate the possible contribution of IL-31 and IL-33, cytokines involved in disorders associated with itching, in the pathogenesis of pruritus in patients undergoing EGFR-TK inhibitors. We report a significant increase of IL-31 and IL-33 serum levels in a patient with a bronchioalveolar carcinoma, who had showed previous skin rash, xerosis, and pruritus during treatment with different EGFR-TK inhibitors. She developed intense iching during gefitinib therapy. Therefore, we had collected patient blood sample to evaluate IL-31 and IL-33 serum levels compared to controls, reporting a significant increase in serum of patient. In the light of these findings, EGFR-TK inhibitors-related symptoms of dermatologic toxicities might be related to the release of IL-31 and IL-33. In particular, it is supposable that EGFR-TK inhibitors could cause keratinocytes injury, the release of IL-33 and the consequent interaction with its receptor on mast cells, that induces the secretion of several factors capable to cause skin manifestations, included IL-31, a known pruritus-inducing cytokine. This report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first work describing a possible involvement of IL-31/IL-33 axis in the pathogenesis of skin side effects related to EGFR-TK inhibitors treatment.

Chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome and nail changes: a review of clinical presentation, etiology, pathogenesis, and management

Chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome and nail changes are common complications of many classic chemotherapeutic agents and the newer molecular targeted therapies. They significantly impact patient quality of life, and frequently necessitate chemotherapy dose intensity modification or reduction. We aim to describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and current evidence-based treatment options for these entities.

Exploratory toxicology as an integrated part of drug discovery. Part I: Why and how

Toxicity and clinical safety have major impact on drug development success. Moving toxicological studies into earlier phases of the R&D chain prevents drug candidates with a safety risk from entering clinical development. However, to identify candidates without such risk, safety has to be designed actively. Therefore, we argue that toxicology should be fully integrated into the discovery process. We describe our strategy, including safety assessment of novel targets, selection of chemical series without inherent liabilities, designing out risk factors and profiling of candidates, and we discuss considerations regarding what to screen for. We aim to provide timely go/no-go decisions (fail early) and direction to the discovery teams, by steering away from safety risk (showing what will not fail).

Daily baseline skin care in the prevention, treatment, and supportive care of skin toxicity in oncology patients: recommendations from a multinational expert panel

Skin reactions due to radiotherapy and chemotherapy are a significant problem for an important number of cancer patients. While effective for treating cancer, they disturb cutaneous barrier function, causing a reaction soon after initiation of treatment that impacts patient quality of life. Managing these symptoms with cosmetics and nonpharmaceutical skin care products for camouflage or personal hygiene may be important for increasing patient self-esteem. However, inappropriate product choice or use could worsen side effects. Although recommendations exist for the pharmaceutical treatment of skin reactions, there are no recommendations for the choice or use of dermatologic skin care products for oncology patients. The present guidelines were developed by a board of European experts in dermatology and oncology to provide cancer care professionals with guidance for the appropriate use of non-pharmaceutical, dermocosmetic skin care management of cutaneous toxicities associated with radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy, including epidermal growth factor inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. The experts hope that these recommendations will improve the management of cutaneous side effects and hence quality of life for oncology patients.

Vandetanib in advanced medullary thyroid cancer: review of adverse event management strategies

Introduction

Vandetanib has recently demonstrated clinically meaningful benefits in patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Given the potential for long-term vandetanib therapy in this setting, in addition to treatment for disease-related symptoms, effective management of related adverse events (AEs) is vital to ensure patient compliance and maximize clinical benefit with vandetanib therapy.

Methods

This expert meeting-based review aims to summarize published data on AEs associated with vandetanib therapy and to provide clinicians with specific practical guidance on education, monitoring, and management of toxicities induced in patients treated with vandetanib in advanced and metastatic MTC. The content of this review is based on the expert discussions from a multidisciplinary meeting held in October 2012.

Results

Characteristics, frequency, and risk data are outlined for a number of dermatological, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and general AEs related to vandetanib treatment. Preventive strategies, practical treatment suggestions, and points for clinical consideration are provided.

Conclusions

Good patient and team communication is necessary for the prevention, early detection, and management of AEs of vandetanib. Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers play a critical role in providing AE management and patient support to optimize outcomes with vandetanib in MTC.

Pruritus in patients treated with targeted cancer therapies: systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pruritus has been anecdotally described in association with targeted cancer therapies. The risk of pruritus has not been systematically ascertained.

OBJECTIVE

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted for axitinib, cetuximab, dasatinib, erlotinib, everolimus, gefitinib, imatinib, ipilimumab, lapatinib, nilotinib, panitumumab, pazopanib, rituximab, sorafenib, temsirolimus, tositumomab, vandetanib, and vemurafenib.

METHODS

Databases from PubMed, Web of Science (January 1998 through July 2012), and American Society of Clinical Oncology abstracts (2004 through 2012) were searched. Incidence and relative risk of pruritus were calculated using random- or fixed-effects model.

RESULTS

The incidences of all-grade and high-grade pruritus were 17.4% (95% confidence interval 16.0%-19.0%) and 1.4% (95% confidence interval 1.2%-1.6%), respectively. There was an increased risk of all-grade pruritus (relative risk 2.90 [95% confidence interval 1.76-4.77, P < .001]) and variation among different drugs (P < .001).

LIMITATIONS

The reporting of pruritus may vary, resulting from concomitant medications, comorbidities, and underlying malignancies. We found a higher incidence of pruritus in patients with solid tumors, concordant with those targeted therapies with the highest pruritus incidences.

CONCLUSION

There is a significant risk of developing pruritus in patients receiving targeted therapies. To prevent suboptimal dosing and decreased quality of life, patients should be counseled and treated against this untoward symptom.

[Cutaneous adverse reactions of EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor)-inhibitors: therapeutic algorithm of the French PROCUR group]

The epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR)-inhibitors are frequently responsible for cutaneous adverse drug reactions that may alter the patients' quality of life and hamper the continuation of treatment. We present here the experience of a group of French multidisciplinary experts - the PROCUR group (PRise en charge de la tOxicité CUtanée des anti-EGFR) - created in order to establish a therapeutic algorithm. It was built in three steps under the responsibility of a steering committee: (1) a systematic literature review was performed by a group of three dermatologists and one oncologist; (2) regional meetings evaluated practical aspect of the treatments in France; (3) a final meeting confrontating the practices in France and the evidence-based medicine including the steering committee, the bibliographic group, and oncologists, radiotherapists, dermatologists and hepato-gastroenterologists involved in regional scientific committees, resulted in a therapeutic algorithm, resulting in the collegial writing of this algorithm. This multidisciplinary study should facilitate the standardised, optimised management of skin toxicity associated with EGFR-inhibitors.

The complexity of adverse side-effects to biological agents

Whereas adverse effects induced by xenobiotics are mainly linked to the pharmacological effect, the adverse side-effects induced by biological agents (BA) are often target-related and linked to the biological consequences of their action. Based on these differences, an original classification of the adverse effects has been proposed. Five types of adverse effects induced by BA are described (α, β, γ, δ, and ε). This classification provides a very useful scheme for a better understanding of these adverse effects. This approach should help to better characterize the pathogenic mechanisms involved and to optimize their management. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the specific risks related to this relatively new class of drugs. Close monitoring of these BA is therefore recommended.