Onkológia 1/2013

Pneumotoxicity of molecularly targeted anticancer drugs

Molecularly targeted anticancer drugs mainly monoclonal antibodies, tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors are used as the standard treatments for several malignant diseases. Their toxicity profiles differ from those seen with the classical antineoplastic agents. Pneumotoxicity caused by targeted agents is less common side effect compared with classical anticancer drugs. However, it may be serious and even life threatening condition. This review deals with different forms of pneumotoxicity associated with the molecularly targeted agents, their diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: targeted therapy, pneumotoxicity, diagnosis, treatment.