Cancer Therapy-induced Dermatotoxicity as a Window to Understanding Skin Immunity

Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2024 Oct;38(5):1011-1025. doi: 10.1016/j.hoc.2024.05.002. Epub 2024 Jun 12.

Abstract

Pruritus, rash, and various other forms of dermatotoxicity are the most frequent adverse events among patients with cancer receiving targeted molecular therapy and immunotherapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors, macrophage-targeting agents, and epidermal growth factor receptor/MEK inhibitors not only exert antitumor effects but also interfere with molecular pathways essential for skin immune homeostasis. Studying cancer therapy-induced dermatotoxicity helps us identify molecular mechanisms governing skin immunity and deepen our understanding of human biology. This review summarizes new mechanistic insights emerging from the analysis of cutaneous adverse events and discusses knowledge gaps that remain to be closed by future research.

Keywords: Depigmentation; Epidermis; Macrophage; Nerve; Pruritis; Rash; T cell.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology
  • Drug Eruptions / immunology
  • Drug Eruptions / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Immunotherapy / adverse effects
  • Molecular Targeted Therapy / adverse effects
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / immunology
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Skin* / drug effects
  • Skin* / immunology
  • Skin* / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors