A review on adverse event profiles of epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors in nonsmall cell lung cancer patients

Abstract

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of EGFR-mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). These EGFR TKIs demonstrate a different adverse event (AE) profile as compared to conventional chemotherapy agents. They are more commonly associated with cutaneous AEs and diarrhea while hematological AEs occurred commonly with chemotherapy agents. These AEs are the extension of pharmacological effect and occur as a result of blockade of EGFR-regulated pathways in the skin and gastrointestinal tract. This review article sheds light on the safety profile of first-, second-, and third-generation EGFR TKIs based on data obtained from several clinical trials conducted in NSCLC patients and highlights trials comparing these agents with the conventional chemotherapy agents. The strategies to manage EGFR TKI-related AEs are also reviewed.

Anticancer Medications and Sodium Dysmetabolism

“…These proteins are involved in regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, migration, metabolism and antiapoptotic signalling, and are abnormally activated in cancer cells. 121,122 Hyponatraemia has been reported in a dose-dependent fashion with the commonly used TKIs imatinib, dasatinib, nilotinib, bosutinib and axitinib. 45 This has also been also observed with sorafenib (up to 39% [9/23] of cases) and brivanib (9-11%).…”

Afatinib‐induced erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp: Is there a synergistic effect between EGFR inhibitors and radiotherapy?

“…Oral antineoplastic drugs that block the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) are widely used treatments in cancer patients. Because of the blockade of EGFR regulated pathways, they are commonly associated with cutaneous adverse events, such as the well‐known acneiform eruptions and paronychia 1 . Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) has also been associated with the use of these drugs 2 …”

“…Because of the blockade of EGFR regulated pathways, they are commonly associated with cutaneous adverse events, such as the well-known acneiform eruptions and paronychia. 1 Erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) has also been associated with the use of these drugs. 2 A 51-year-old woman presented to our Dermatology Department with a history of an interparietal alopecic plaque of hair loss that appeared 2 weeks before the consultation.…”