Chemotherapeutic agents and the skin: An update

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2008 Apr;58(4):545-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.01.001.

Abstract

Chemotherapeutic agents give rise to numerous well described adverse effects that may affect the skin, hair, mucous membranes, or nails. The mucocutaneous effects of longstanding agents have been extensively studied and reviewed. Over the last 2 decades, a number of new molecular entities for the treatment of cancer have been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This article reviews the cutaneous toxicity patterns of these agents. It also reviews one drug that has not received FDA approval but is in use outside the United States and is important dermatologically. Particular emphasis is placed on the novel signal transduction inhibitors as well as on newer literature pertaining to previously described reactions.

Learning objectives: At the completion of this learning activity, participants should able to list the newer chemotherapeutic agents that possess significant mucocutaneous side effects and describe the range of reactions that are seen with each drug. In addition, they should be able to formulate appropriate management strategies for these reactions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antimetabolites / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Benzamides
  • Benzenesulfonates / adverse effects
  • Cetuximab
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology
  • Drug Eruptions / pathology
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
  • Gefitinib
  • Hair Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Indoles / adverse effects
  • Mucous Membrane / drug effects*
  • Nail Diseases / chemically induced
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Piperazines / adverse effects
  • Platinum Compounds / adverse effects
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Pyridines / adverse effects
  • Pyrimidines / adverse effects
  • Pyrroles / adverse effects
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Skin / drug effects*
  • Skin Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Sorafenib
  • Sunitinib
  • Taxoids / adverse effects

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antimetabolites
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzamides
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Indoles
  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Piperazines
  • Platinum Compounds
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyridines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • Quinazolines
  • Taxoids
  • Niacinamide
  • Imatinib Mesylate
  • Sorafenib
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl
  • Cetuximab
  • Gefitinib
  • Sunitinib