Although targeted therapies are generally better tolerated than standard chemotherapy, there are some gastrointestinal side effects that should be kept in consideration. Most side effects are mild to moderate in severity, but some can be life threatening. Diarrhea is the most common side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The majority of the cases can be managed with prophylactic and rescue use of anti-diarrhea medications. Aplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors, mesenchymal epithelial transition factor(c-MET) and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) inhibitors are known to cause nausea and vomiting. Most cases of nausea and vomiting can be managed by medications such as serotonin antagonists, NK-1 antagonists, dopamine antagonists or anti-anxiety medications. Prior to prescribing c-KIT TKIs (sunitinib, regorafenib), multi-TKIs (pazopanib), MEK inhibitors (trametinib), anti-HER-2 therapy (lapatinib) and anti-EGFR targeting agents (gefitinib, erlotinib), baseline liver function tests should be performed and then monitored periodically to prevent liver damage. READ ARTICLE
Handbook of Cancer Treatment-Related Symptoms and Toxicities DOI:10.1016/B978-0-323-67241-2.00013-6
Authors: Tahmida Chowdhury, Ammar Sukari, Misako Nagasaka
