According to the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medical Evaluation Agency, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (alone or in combination with radiotherapy and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy) are indicated in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of some sides (lung, head and neck, colorectum, pancreas) and in some conditions. In particular, the combined therapy with a monoclonal antibody against the EGFRs (cetuximab) and high-grade radiation has been approved in 2006 for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma because locoregional progression, overall survival, and the progression free survival were significantly improved. Since then some clinical trials and anecdotal case reports have been published but the data on the frequency and severity of side effects of radiation (radiation dermatitis) and EGFR inhibitors (infusion reaction, papulopustular eruption) are conflicting. The contrast could be due to the different temporal administration of anti-EGFR drugs (during or some months after radiation treatment). Therefore, prospective multidisciplinary (oncologists, radiotherapists, dermatologists) evaluation of patients in combined regimens with greater attention to dermatologic adverse events would be desiderable also for improving management strategies of dermatologic toxicity.
Tossicità cutanea in corso di trattamento combinato con inibitori dei recettori del fattore di crescita epidermico e radioterapia
LISI, Paolo;BELLINI, VERONICA;BIANCHI, LEONARDO
2011
Abstract
According to the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medical Evaluation Agency, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors (alone or in combination with radiotherapy and/or cytotoxic chemotherapy) are indicated in the treatment of squamous cell carcinomas of some sides (lung, head and neck, colorectum, pancreas) and in some conditions. In particular, the combined therapy with a monoclonal antibody against the EGFRs (cetuximab) and high-grade radiation has been approved in 2006 for the treatment of locally advanced head and neck carcinoma because locoregional progression, overall survival, and the progression free survival were significantly improved. Since then some clinical trials and anecdotal case reports have been published but the data on the frequency and severity of side effects of radiation (radiation dermatitis) and EGFR inhibitors (infusion reaction, papulopustular eruption) are conflicting. The contrast could be due to the different temporal administration of anti-EGFR drugs (during or some months after radiation treatment). Therefore, prospective multidisciplinary (oncologists, radiotherapists, dermatologists) evaluation of patients in combined regimens with greater attention to dermatologic adverse events would be desiderable also for improving management strategies of dermatologic toxicity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
