INDIVIDUAL ARTICLE: NECOM 5: Algorithm for the Treatment and Supportive Management of Targeted Therapy-Related Cutaneous Adverse Events
March 2025 | Volume 24 | Issue 3 | 88541s3 | Copyright © March 2025
Published online February 28, 2025
Ada Girnita MD PhD IFAAD FEADVa, Peter Bjerring MD DMSc FEADVb, Gabriela Lladó Grove MD PhDc, Samsa Kauppi MDd, Anneke Andriessen PhDe, Charles Lynde MD FRCPCf, Andreas Stensvold MD PhDg
aSkin Cancer Center Karolinska University Hospital Stockholm, Sweden
bDepartment of Dermatology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark
cDepartment of Dermatology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark
dPrivate Practice, Terveystalo and Epilaser Oy, Finland
eRadboud UMC; Nijmegen and Andriessen Consultants, Malden, The Netherlands
fDiplomate, American Board of Dermatology; Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada; Associate Professor, Department of Medicine University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Lynderm Research, Markham, ON, Canada
gDirector of Medical Strategy and Development, Østfold Hospital Trust, Norway
Abstract
Background: The cancer burden in the Nordic European countries remains substantial, but new treatment approaches, such as targeted therapy, have increased the survival of cancer patients. During and following cancer treatment regimens, however, patients' quality of life may be severely affected by sequelae, including cutaneous adverse events (cAEs). Overall, practical clinical tools for the management of cAEs in cancer patients and survivors have been lacking.
Methods: The Nordic European Cutaneous Oncodermatology Management (NECOM) project addresses cAEs in cancer patients, aiming to identify specific challenges and develop practical algorithms for their management. NECOM 1 and 2 provided an overview of cAEs and general recommendations for prevention and appropriate skin care regimens. NECOM 3 and 4 explored cAEs related to radiation therapy and immunotherapy, respectively. This NECOM 5 develops a practical algorithm for preventing and treating targeted therapy-related cAEs (TTcAEs).
Results: The NECOM panel discussed the findings of a systematic review of cAEs associated with targeted cancer therapy. The panel reached a consensus on a practical algorithm for TTcAEs, considering the current evidence, expert opinion, and clinical settings in the Nordic countries. The algorithm included general prevention and skin care recommendations, followed by specific advice for addressing the most common TTcAEs (papulopustular eruption, pruritus, hand-foot skin reaction, and paronychia).
Conclusions: Targeted therapy-related cAEs may negatively affect cancer patients and survivors. The NECOM panel provides a practical algorithm for preventing and managing TTcAEs to improve cancer patient outcomes and quality of life.
J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24:3(Suppl 2):s3-10.
