Ayelet Ollech, Michal Yalon, Gadi Abebe-Campino, Vered Molho-Pessach, Eve Finklestein, Hodaya Cohen, Aviv Barzilai, Shani Caspi, Shoshana Greenberger
DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3867

Targeted medications and immunotherapies are being developed to specifically target the pathways involved in tumours. There is limited experience with these new medications and their cutaneous side-effects in the paediatric population. A retrospective study of all paediatric oncological patients treated with targeted therapies and immunotherapies between 1 January 2013 and 1 August 2020 was carried out in 2 haemato-oncological referral centres. A total of 103 children were included in the study. The median (interquartile range) age was 13 years (8.4–16.9), male:female ratio 1.5:1, median (interquartile range) follow-up was 7 months (2–18). Fifty (48%) of the children developed cutaneous adverse events. Treatment was discontinued in only 3 (6%) cases and was altered in only (2%) 1 case due to a cutaneous adverse event. When targeted therapies and immunotherapies for tumours in children are used, there is an increased incidence of cutaneous adverse events. Nevertheless, treatment modification or discontinuation due to cutaneous side-effects is rarely needed.

Cutaneous adverse events to targeted medications and immunotherapies for oncological patients are well described in adults. There is limited experience with these new medications and their cutaneous side-effects in the paediatric population. This retrospective study reports on 103 children with an oncological disease treated with targeted therapies or immunotherapies. The cutaneous adverse events to these agents, and the course and treatment of the cutaneous disease are described. The findings indicate that cutaneous adverse events due to these treatments in children are frequent, but very rarely a cause for discontinuation of treatment. Patient education can help address these cutaneous adverse events.

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