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Management of cutaneous adverse events caused by antineoplastic therapies: a single-center experience

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Abstract

Introduction

Cutaneous adverse events can occur in patients treated with antineoplastic treatments, albeit their incidence has not been defined yet. The clinical presentation of CAEs related to anticancer treatments can vary. The purpose of our study is to characterize skin toxicities during oncological treatments, manage such adverse events to improve patients’ quality of life, and ensure therapeutic adherence.

Methods

We conducted a single-center prospective study which provided the enrollment of all patients referred to the Skin Toxicity Outpatient Clinic for the occurrence of cutaneous adverse events secondary to an ongoing antineoplastic treatment, between July 2021 and June 2023. We analyzed clinical features, and we described our therapeutic approach.

Results

Based on the type of drug assumed, chemotherapy-induced skin toxicity in 24 (38.7%) of the 62 evaluated patients, target therapies in 18 (29.0%), CDK4/6 cyclin inhibitors in 12 (19.4%), and immunotherapy in 6 (9.7%), while skin adverse events secondary to hormone therapy were seen in two patients. The most common cutaneous adverse event in our experience was rosaceiform rash of the face, followed by eczematous rash, hand-foot syndrome, and folliculitis.

Conclusion

The present study is aimed at describing the variability and heterogeneity of clinical manifestations of different pharmacological classes used in oncological patients, as well as the different pathogenesis of skin damage. Chemotherapy very frequently causes skin toxicities that are often underestimated by clinicians. Their adequate recognition and optimal treatment lead to total recovery and allow better adhesion to chemotherapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dermatology Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Michela Starace, Luca Rapparini, Stephano Cedirian, Valeria Evangelista, Francesca Pampaloni, Francesca Bruni, Cosimo Misciali, Alessandro Pileri & Bianca Maria Piraccini

  2. Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Michela Starace, Luca Rapparini, Stephano Cedirian, Valeria Evangelista, Francesca Pampaloni, Francesca Bruni, Alessandro Pileri & Bianca Maria Piraccini

  3. Oncologic Unit, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Di Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Daniela Rubino & Claudio Zamagni

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  1. Michela Starace
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Contributions

Michela Starace: Conceptualization, Methodology, Resources, Writing - Original Draft, Project administration; Luca Rapparini: Software, Formal analysis, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing - Original Draft; Stephano Cedirian: Software, Investigation, Data Curation, Writing - Original Draft; Valeria Evangelista: Conceptualization, Data Curation; Francesca Pampaloni: Investigation, Visualization; Francesca Bruni: Validation, Visualization; Cosimo Misciali: Investigation, Writing - Review & Editing; Daniela Rubino: Validation, Investigation; Claudio Zamagni: Methodology, Resources; Alessandro Pileri: Writing - Review & Editing; Bianca Maria Piraccini: Validation, Writing - Review & Editing, Supervision

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Luca Rapparini.

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Ethical approval

Samples used in this study were obtained as part of routine medical care. Ethical approval for use of these samples for research purposes was not required for this study in accordance with local/ national guidelines.

Informed consent

The patients were informed about the use of their clinical information according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles and photos for publication intent. The informed consent was appropriately obtained during the medical examination. Informed consent for the use of information and images has been obtained from patients.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Starace, M., Rapparini, L., Cedirian, S. et al. Management of cutaneous adverse events caused by antineoplastic therapies: a single-center experience. Support Care Cancer 32, 200 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08407-4

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