An interdisciplinary consensus on managing skin reactions associated with human epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2008 Apr;12(2):283-90. doi: 10.1188/08.CJON.283-290.

Abstract

The use of human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER1/EGFR) inhibitors, such as erlotinib, cetuximab, and panitumumab, often is accompanied by the development of a characteristic spectrum of skin toxicities. Although these toxicities rarely are life threatening, they can cause physical and emotional distress for patients and caregivers. As a result, practitioners often withdraw the drug, potentially depriving patients of a beneficial clinical outcome. These reactions do not necessarily require any alteration in HER1/EGFR-inhibitor treatment and often are best addressed through symptomatic treatment. Although the evidence for using such therapies is limited, an interdisciplinary HER1/EGFR-inhibitor dermatologic toxicity forum was held in October 2006 to discuss the underlying mechanisms of these toxicities and evaluate commonly used therapeutic interventions. The result was a proposal for a simple, three-tiered grading system for skin toxicities related to HER1/EGFR inhibitors to be used in therapeutic decision making and as a framework for building a stepwise approach to intervention.

Publication types

  • Consensus Development Conference
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Benchmarking
  • Cetuximab
  • Decision Trees
  • Drug Eruptions / diagnosis
  • Drug Eruptions / epidemiology
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology*
  • Drug Eruptions / therapy*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Panitumumab
  • Patient Selection
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Quinazolines / adverse effects
  • Severity of Illness Index

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Panitumumab
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Cetuximab