title: Semiology of skin toxicity associated with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Advances in the understanding of the mechanisms involved in oncogenesis have led to the development of so-called targeted therapies such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, which take on an increasingly important role in the management of cancer. These treatments have the advantage not to trigger the adverse effects traditionally encountered with chemotherapy, such as nausea, vomiting or haematological toxicity. However, they do cause new forms of toxicity: the most common one is skin toxicity. It is important to be aware of it because it can be debilitating, adversely impacting patients' quality of life and altering treatment compliance, although it appears to be correlated with treatment response in certain series. Non-specialists can have difficulty in recognising this unusual skin toxicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  The dermatologic side effects most frequently triggered by EGFR inhibitors are discussed in this article.
  
  
  RESULTS
  They are divided into three categories depending on their target: inflammation of the pilo-sebaceous follicle, represented by EGFR inhibitor-associated folliculitis, which occurs at an early stage and is frequent; alteration in the skin barrier, primarily responsible for xerosis, fissures and pruritus, which are frequent and delayed; and lesions of the skin appendages (paronychia, pyogenic granuloma, hair changes), which are delayed and less frequent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is essential for all practitioners concerned to know about these dermatologic side effects in order to ensure better global management of patients, particularly in terms of quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Cancerology, Nantes University Hospital; CIC biotherapy INSERM 0305, 1 place Ricordeau, 44000, Nantes, France.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peuvrel
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bachmeyer
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Reguiai
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Bachet
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Bensadoun
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Bouché
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ychou
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dréno
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D066246:ErbB Receptors