Early Recognition and Management of Side Effects Related to Systemic Anticancer Therapy for Advanced Breast Cancer.

Objectives: Advances in science and technology have meant there are numerous treatment options available for people with advanced breast cancer (ABC). However, each therapeutic approach can cause side effects or adverse events, which can significantly affect the person's quality of life, overall well-being, and, in some instances, safety. This report presents an overview of the common side effects of systemic anticancer therapy and ways to manage them.

Xerosis and pruritus as major EGFRI-associated adverse events.

Purpose: The objective of this sub-analysis of the BeCet study (NCT01136005) was to examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients experiencing dermatological adverse events (AEs) during the first 6 weeks of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) treatment.

Methods: Patients (n = 85) treated with EGFRI completed five questionnaires during the first 6 weeks of treatment. 77 patients provided enough data for the sub-analysis.

Nasal vestibulitis due to targeted therapies in cancer patients.

Background And Purpose: Cancer patients treated with targeted therapies (e.g., epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors) are susceptible to dermatologic adverse events (AEs) including secondary skin infections.

A systematic review of patient-reported outcome instruments of dermatologic adverse events associated with targeted cancer therapies.

Purpose: Dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) in cancer treatment are frequent with the use of targeted therapies. These dAEs have been shown to have significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). While standardized assessment tools have been developed for physicians to assess severity of dAEs, there is a discord between objective and subjective measures.

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.

Prevention and management of adverse events related to regorafenib.

Regorafenib is an oral multikinase inhibitor that has shown antitumor activity in a range of solid tumors. Based on data from phase III clinical trials, regorafenib is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have previously been treated with, or are not considered candidates for, other available therapies, and in patients with advanced gastrointestinal stromal tumors that cannot be surgically removed and no longer respond to other appropriate treatments. A panel of oncology nurses, research coordinators, and other medical oncology experts, experienced in the care of patients treated with regorafenib, met to discuss the best practice for the management of regorafenib-associated adverse events (AEs).

Mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor-associated stomatitis.

With the recent introduction of inhibitors of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in oncology, distinct cutaneous and oral adverse events have been identified. In fact, stomatitis and rash are documented as the most frequent and potentially dose-limiting side effects. Clinically, mTOR inhibitor-associated stomatitis (mIAS) more closely resembles aphthous stomatitis than oral mucositis due to conventional anticancer therapies.

Clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and treatment of acute and late radiation reactions from the MASCC Skin Toxicity Study Group.

Radiation dermatitis (RD) results from radiotherapy and often occurs within the first 4 weeks of treatment, although late effects also occur. While RD may resolve over time, it can have a profound effect on patients' quality of life and lead to dose modifications. A study group of international, interdisciplinary experts convened to develop RD prevention and treatment guidelines based on evidence from randomized, controlled trials.

Risk of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal injury among patients receiving selected targeted agents: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to estimate the risk and severity of oral and gastrointestinal mucosal toxicities associated with selected targeted agents.

Methods: We searched the English-language literature in February 2011 for reports of randomized clinical trials comparing a FDA-approved targeted agent to a standard of care regimens. Long-term follow-up and secondary reports of trials were excluded, leaving 85 studies for analysis.

Translation and linguistic validation of the FACT-EGFRI-18 quality of life instrument from English into Dutch.

Purpose: The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor 18 (FACT-EGFRI-18) is a patient-reported outcomes questionnaire developed to assess the effect of EGFRI on patients. The FACT-EGFR-18 was translated into Dutch and evaluated in order to document that the translation adequately captures the concepts of the original English-language version of the questionnaire and is readily understood by subjects in the target population.

Method: Translation of the FACT-EGFRI-18 from English to Dutch was accomplished by employing the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) multilingual translation methodology.

Experiences with the FACT-EGFRI-18 instrument in EGFRI-associated mucocutaneous adverse events.

Purpose: The functional assessment of cancer therapy epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor 18 (FACT-EGFRI-18) is a patient-reported outcomes questionnaire developed to assess the effect of EGFRI on health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods: Ten native-speaking residents of The Netherlands who reported EGFRI-associated mucocutaneous adverse events (mcAEs) were administered the questionnaire. Patients were subsequently asked a standardized series of questions about the items' personal relevance.

Oral adverse events associated with tyrosine kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma: a structured literature review.

Background: Oral adverse events (OAEs) associated with multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORIs) are underestimated but frequent and novel presentations of mucosal manifestations. Because optimal antitumor activity requires maintaining the optimal dose, it is essential to avoid unintended treatment delays or interruptions.

Methods: We review the reported prevalence and appearance of OAEs with TKIs and mTORIs and the current oral assessment tools commonly used in clinical trials.

Clinical presentation and management of dermatological toxicities of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.

The last decade in oncology has been highlighted by the emergence of novel, highly specific anti-cancer agents, targeting a variety of molecular structures and able to inhibit aberrantly activated oncogenic pathways. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) represent one type of such "targeted" agents. Their use made treatment more tolerable and resulted in significant reduction of systemic adverse effects.