title: Assessment of skin-related toxicity in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab.
abstract: Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) blocking the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway, such as cetuximab, have been widely used in recent years for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the profile of the side effects of cetuximab affecting the skin and its appendages. We gathered the medical records on skin-related toxicity in 46 patients treated with cetuximab for mCRC in the Department of Clinical Oncology, University Hospital in Krakow in 2009-2013. Skin toxicity was classified according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. The typical side effects of cetuximab were observed. The most common skin toxicity was an acne-like skin rash (80% of patients) and paronychia (20%). Other side effects were trichomegaly, hypertrichosis, and allergic reactions. In view of high incidence of skin lesions during treatment with cetuximab, it is essential to observe patients carefully and to control the side effects during therapy. Previous experience from clinical trials shows that in some cases proper care and prevention can improve the quality of the patients' lives.
authors.affiliation: Agnieszka Pacek, MD, Department of Clinical Oncology, Krakow University Hospital, Sniadeckich Street 10, Krakow, Poland; agnieszka.pacek88@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pacek
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kozioł
authors.forename: Mirosława
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Püsküllüoğlu
authors.forename: Krzysztof A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Tomaszewski
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ochenduszko
authors.forename: Aneta L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Zygulska
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krzemieniecki
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000068818:Cetuximab / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000068818:Cetuximab