Spotlight Commentary: Navigating the Cutaneous Side Effects of Chemotherapy

June 2025 in “ British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology ”

Sanja Brnić, Liborija Lugović‐Mihić

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Studysummary This study highlights the significant impact of cutaneous side effects associated with anticancer therapies, emphasizing the need for proactive management to improve patient quality of life and treatment adherence.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

Chemotherapy and other anticancer therapies frequently cause cutaneous side effects, with alopecia being particularly common and affecting 50-100% of patients on certain regimens. Although usually reversible, alopecia can significantly impact patients' psychological well-being. Management strategies include scalp cooling and supportive care. Other side effects such as hand-foot syndrome, rashes, and nail changes also require specific management approaches. Hormonal therapies for breast and prostate cancers generally result in milder skin reactions. Effective management of these side effects is crucial for maintaining therapy efficacy and improving patients' quality of life, with emerging strategies focusing on personalized care and preventive measures.

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Research cited in this study

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research Cutaneous Toxicity as a Predictive Biomarker for Clinical Outcome in Patients Receiving Anticancer Therapy

32 citations , May 2018 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

This review describes how cutaneous toxicity from kinase inhibitors, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and chemotherapeutics could potentially serve as a biomarker for anticancer treatment efficacy, but highlights the need for more extensive research to confirm this association.