title: [Therapy with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. Clinical spectrum of cutaneous adverse effects].
abstract: Recently, inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), such as erlotinib, gefitinib, cetuximab or panitumumab, have been successfully established in the therapy of a variety of solid tumors. Cutaneous adverse effects are the most frequent side-effects of these so-called targeted cancer drugs and occur in 45-100% of patients. In addition to a characteristic papulo-pustular rash, adverse effects include painful paronychia, xerosis cutis, pruritus, alopecia or alterations of the hair structure. These often stigmatizing side-effects represent a serious threat to the patients' quality of life and compliance and may lead to dose-reduction or even cessation of the antineoplastic therapy. Considering the steadily growing numbers of patients who receive EGFR-targeting therapy, these medicament-associated cutaneous adverse effects are becoming increasingly more important in the routine clinical practice of dermatologists and oncologists.
authors.affiliation: Hautklinik, Universitätsklinikum Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, 40225, Düsseldorf, Deutschland.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Buhren
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kürle
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Homey
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001688:Biological Products / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D066246:ErbB Receptors