title: Overview and management of dermatologic events associated with targeted therapies for medullary thyroid cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment options for patients with advanced or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) have, in recent years, expanded with the approval of two tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs): vandetanib and cabozantinib. Other agents, including TKIs, are under clinical investigation for MTC. Although patients treated with TKIs are at risk of developing dermatologic adverse events (AE), these untoward events may be mitigated through AE-driven algorithms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AE-driven algorithms combine effective nonpharmaceutical and pharmaceutical treatment modalities implemented by a multidisciplinary effort that incorporates nursing interventions, patient education, and referrals to pain-management specialists, podiatrists, and dermatologists, as appropriate. Effective AE prevention and management reduce the need for dose interruptions and modifications, allowing patients the opportunity to derive the maximal benefit from TKI therapy, while maintaining quality of life.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimal use of targeted therapies in the treatment of MTC depends on careful patient selection, interdisciplinary communication, and patient education and encouragement to enhance compliance and safety, optimize consistent dosing, and maximize the use of effective therapies.
authors.affiliation: 1 Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center , New York, New York.
authors.forename: Mario E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lacouture
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ciccolini
authors.forename: Richard T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Kloos
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Agulnik
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents