Cutaneous reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapy for cancer: Part II. Targeted therapy.

Targeted drugs are increasingly being used for cancer management. They are designed to block specific cancer cell processes, and are often better tolerated than conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. Cutaneous reactions, however, are not uncommon, because some target molecules are also present in the skin.

Cutaneous reactions to chemotherapeutic drugs and targeted therapies for cancer: part I. Conventional chemotherapeutic drugs.

Conventional chemotherapy continues to be an important part of cancer management, but may cause various cutaneous reactions because it disturbs specific cell cycle phases. The alkylating agents cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and thiotepa can produce hyperpigmentation, while hypersensitivity reactions can be seen with platinum alkylating agents. Antimetabolites vary in reactions from exanthematous to bullous skin lesions.

A single-center, randomized double-blind, parallel-group study to examine the safety and efficacy of 3mg drospirenone/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol compared with placebo in the treatment of moderate truncal acne vulgaris.

Background: Acne is a common disease of the face, chest and back, initially triggered by androgens. 3mg Drospirenone (DRSP)/0.02 mg ethinyl estradiol (EE), an oral contraceptive and antiandrogen, has been effective in treatment studies of facial acne in women, but investigations on its efficacy for truncal acne are limited.