title: Managing adverse events associated with vismodegib in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: Basal cell carcinomas are the most common form of skin cancer. Some develop into advanced cases not suitable for standard therapy. Vismodegib is the first-in-class oral hedgehog pathway inhibitor (which is dysregulated in 90% of basal cell carcinomas), and has demonstrated efficacy for advanced disease in clinical trials. An UK expert panel met to discuss management strategies for adverse events associated with vismodegib (most commonly taste disturbances, muscle cramps and alopecia). Managing patient expectations and implementing treatment breaks were considered important strategies. Quinine was useful to alleviate muscle cramps. For taste disturbances, food swaps alongside dietician referral were suggested. The experts concluded that these common adverse events can be successfully managed to allow optimum treatment duration of vismodegib.
authors.affiliation: Cambridge University Hospitals, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fife
authors.affiliation: Western Infirmary & Ross Hall Hospital, 221 Crookston Road, Glasgow, G52 3NQ, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herd
authors.affiliation: Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London, SW3 6JJ, UK.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lalondrelle
authors.affiliation: Northern Centre for Cancer Care, Freeman Hospital, Freeman Road, High Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7DN, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.affiliation: Cambridge University Hospitals, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Strong
authors.affiliation: Roche Products Ltd, Hexagon Place, 6 Falcon Way, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 1TW, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Salford Royal Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, M6 8HD, UK.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Lear
mesh_terms: D000813:Anilides / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D019468:Disease Management; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000813:Anilides; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C538724:HhAntag691; D011725:Pyridines
keywords: BCC; adverse events; vismodegib