Skin Malignancies Due to Anti-Cancer Therapies.

Simple Summary: Anti-cancer treatments often entail a spectrum of adverse effects, and among these, skin cancers have been under significant scrutiny. From traditional immunosuppressants such as methotrexate to chemotherapeutic agents such as fludarabine and hydroxyurea, as well as from new targeted therapies such as ibrutinib and JAK inhibitors to MAP kinase pathway inhibitors and sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors, each treatment modality poses unique mechanisms of action and associated risks of skin cancer. In addition, the role of radiotherapy in inducing secondary skin cancers underscores the long-term consequences of therapeutic interventions. It is crucial to ascertain whether a specific therapy increases the risk of skin cancer so that appropriate screening measures can be implemented before and during treatment. Our comprehensive review not only investigates various medications and treatment modalities linked with heightened skin cancer risks, elucidating their mechanisms of action and relevant properties, but also proposes effective strategies for managing patients undergoing such therapies. Skin cancers involve a significant concern in cancer therapy due to their association with various treatment modalities. This comprehensive review explores the increased risk of skin cancers linked to different anti-cancer treatments, including classic immunosuppressants such as methotrexate (MTX), chemotherapeutic agents such as fludarabine and hydroxyurea (HU), targeted therapies like ibrutinib and Janus Kinase inhibitors (JAKi), mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway (MAPKP) inhibitors, sonic hedgehog pathway (SHHP) inhibitors, and radiotherapy. MTX, a widely used immunosuppressant in different fields, is associated with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and cutaneous melanoma (CM), particularly at higher dosages. Fludarabine, HU, and other chemotherapeutic agents increase the risk of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), including cSCC and BCC. Targeted therapies like ibrutinib and JAKi have been linked to an elevated incidence of NMSCs and CM. MAPKP inhibitors, particularly BRAF inhibitors like vemurafenib, are associated with the development of cSCCs and second primary melanomas (SPMs). SHHP inhibitors like vismodegib have been linked to the emergence of cSCCs following treatment for BCC. Additionally, radiotherapy carries carcinogenic risks, especially for BCCs, with increased risks, especially with younger age at the moment of exposure. Understanding these risks and implementing appropriate screening is crucial for effectively managing patients undergoing anti-cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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