Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2016, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (7): 519-523.

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Cutaneous adverse reactions to molecular targeted antitumor drugs and their management

Wang Fangxuhua tang2,Hui ZHOU   

  • Received:2015-08-07 Revised:2016-03-17 Online:2016-07-15 Published:2016-06-30
  • Contact: Hui ZHOU E-mail:zhoujunyu_86@hotmail.com

Abstract:

Wang Fang, Tang Xuhua, Zhou Hui Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat?sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China Corresponding author: Zhou Hui, Email: zhouhongcai@126.com 【Abstract】 There are three kinds of molecular targeted antitumor drugs: inhibitors of membrane?associated therapeutic targets, inhibitors of intracellular signaling pathways, and immunomodulators. Inhibitors of membrane?associated therapeutic targets include epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs), KIT and BCR?ABL inhibitors, antiangiogenic agents and multikinase inhibitors. Inhibitors of intracellular signals include inhibitors of the RAS?RAF?MEK?ERK pathway, PI3K?AKT?mTOR pathway and Hedgehog signaling pathway. Inhibitors of cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated?antigen(CTLA) and programmed death 1 (PD?1) belong to immunomodulatory agents. Cutaneous adverse effects of different molecular targeted antitumor drugs share some common features, but also differ from each other. Most of the side effects are dose?dependent and reversible. Management strategies should be adjusted according to the severity of skin eruptions. Dose tapering and even discontinuation of antitumor drugs are necessary for very severe cases, but for mild ones, symptomatic treatment might be enough. This article reviews cutaneous adverse reactions to molecular targeted therapy as well as their prevention and management.

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