Understanding, recognizing, and managing toxicities of targeted anticancer therapies

GK Dy, AA Adjei - CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 2013 - Wiley Online Library
GK Dy, AA Adjei
CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 2013Wiley Online Library
Answer questions and earn CME/CNE Advances in genomics and molecular biology have
identified aberrant proteins in cancer cells that are attractive targets for cancer therapy.
Because these proteins are overexpressed or dysregulated in cancer cells compared with
normal cells, it was assumed that their inhibitors will be narrowly targeted and relatively
nontoxic. However, this hope has not been achieved. Current targeted agents exhibit the
same frequency and severity of toxicities as traditional cytotoxic agents, with the main …
Answer questions and earn CME/CNE
Advances in genomics and molecular biology have identified aberrant proteins in cancer cells that are attractive targets for cancer therapy. Because these proteins are overexpressed or dysregulated in cancer cells compared with normal cells, it was assumed that their inhibitors will be narrowly targeted and relatively nontoxic. However, this hope has not been achieved. Current targeted agents exhibit the same frequency and severity of toxicities as traditional cytotoxic agents, with the main difference being the nature of the toxic effects. Thus, the classical chemotherapy toxicities of alopecia, myelosuppression, mucositis, nausea, and vomiting have been generally replaced by vascular, dermatologic, endocrine, coagulation, immunologic, ocular, and pulmonary toxicities. These toxicities need to be recognized, prevented, and optimally managed. CA Cancer J Clin 2013;63:249–279. ©2013 American Cancer Society, Inc.
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