Introduction: Sorafenib and Sunitinib are the first tyrosine kinase inhibitors licensed for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma. In contrast to conventional chemotherapy, targeted therapies have distinct and specific side effects.
Methods: Selective review in Medline and the data base of the American Society of Clinical Oncology on the treatment and side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in renal cell carcinoma, drawing on the authors' own experience.
Results and discussion: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors are characterized by a variety of uncommon side effects, such as lassitude, mucosal inflammation and skin changes. The detection and treatment of adverse events are critical for interdisciplinary cancer treatment in order to ensure patients' safety. This article offers an overview of the unwanted effects of drug therapy in the management of renal cell carcinoma.
Keywords: kinase inhibitor; molecular targeted therapy; renal cell cancer; sorafenib; sunitinib.