Dermatologic toxicities related to cancer immunotherapy
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Immunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment, offering significant survival superiority for advanced malignancies. However, immunotherapy is associated with various immune-related adverse events, one of the most common of them being dermatologic toxicities. Previous studies have reported dermatologic adverse events in almost half of the cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The spectrum of dermatologic toxicities ranges from mild, self-limiting reactions to severe, life-threatening conditions, and includes maculopapular rash, pruritus, vitiligo-like depigmentation, psoriasiform eruption, lichenoid eruption, bullae, photosensitivity, hair loss, nail changes, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The management strategies are based on personalized treatment plans, multidisciplinary approaches, and timely therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing dermatologic toxicities while preserving immunotherapy efficacy. Based on the latest findings, this paper offers a novel perspective and provides an evidence-based review of the pathogenesis, manifestations, incidence, grading, clinical management, and prognostic significance of these toxicities, underlining the importance of balancing the efficacy of immunotherapy with timely and proactive management of their dermatological toxicities to enhance patient outcomes and quality of life. • Dermatologic toxicities are one of the most common irAEs, with almost 50 % incidence in immunotherapy-treated cancer patients. • Immune-related dermatologic toxicities range from mild rashes to severe, life-threatening conditions such as SJS/TEN. • T-cell hyperactivation and immune dysregulation underlie most immune-related skin toxicities. • Management strategies vary by toxicity grade, with early detection, symptom relief, and immunosuppressive therapies as basis. • Future studies should focus on biomarker-driven precision medicine and address immunogenetic risk factors for toxicity prevention.
Source: Toxicology Reports
Institution: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,530
OpenAlex ID: W4409221803