Cutaneous Side Effects of Targeted Oncological Treatment

1 Abstract Introduction In recent years, new oncological treatments with targeted effects on cellular level have been introduced into the clinical practice. Some of these agents can cause specific changes affecting skin, skin appendages and mucosa. Currently, the most significant cutaneous side effects in the clinical practice are observed during treatment with inhibitors of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Papulopustular exanthema is the most frequent adverse effect of EGFR inhibitors. Skin changes have a crucial impact on the quality of life can cause an interruption or even termination of the oncological treatment, thus worsening the patient prognosis. Objectives The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence, severity and time of onset of papulopustular exanthema in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with erlotinib. The study also aimed to assess the correlation between papulopustular exanthema and patient prognosis and the incidence of EGFR gene mutations. Another objective was to create informational materials for patients with EGFR inhibitors skin toxicity, its prevention, treatment and recommended regime measures. Methods This was a prospective, open-label, uncontrolled study in which patients with non- small cell lung cancer stage III B and IV treated..