Update on Cutaneous Reactions to Targeted and Immune Cancer Therapy

Dr. Anisha Patel, a dermatologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses cutaneous toxicities related to targeted and immune cancer therapies. She highlights her clinical background and involvement in oncology, emphasizing the increasing prevalence of skin reactions associated with therapies like EGFR inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors, and combination treatments. Patel notes that these cutaneous toxicities can significantly impact patient quality of life and treatment adherence, driving the need for dermatology to be a key player in cancer patient care teams.



She provides insight into various toxicities, specifically the high incidence of skin reactions such as acneiform eruptions and dermatitis that arise from these treatments. Patel employs clinical case studies to illustrate the management of these conditions, advocating for routine cultures to diagnose infections accurately. She stresses the importance of personalized treatment that considers the unique aspects of each patient's skin condition, suggesting therapies such as oral tetracyclines for inflammation, dapsone for erosive pustular dermatosis, and dupilumab for eczema associated with these skin reactions.



The session aims to raise awareness of these toxicities' complexities, their clinical presentations, and management strategies, advocating for an integrated approach to cancer care that includes proactive dermatological interventions to enhance patient outcomes.