Vismodegib effectively treats advanced basal cell carcinoma but requires careful management of serious side effects.
Hedgehog signaling can create new hair follicles in adult skin but may increase cancer risk.
16 citations
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March 2015 in “Clinical Cancer Research” The document concludes that side effects from Smoothened inhibitor drugs for skin cancer are reversible and can be managed with a team approach to maintain quality of life.
17 citations
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June 2017 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The article concludes that hair loss is a common side effect of drugs treating skin cancer by blocking the hedgehog pathway, but treatment should continue, and more selective drugs might prevent this side effect.
8 citations
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May 2019 in “Journal of dermatological treatment” Vismodegib is effective for basal cell carcinoma but has severe side effects.