RESUMO: A terapêutica dirigida e a imunoterapia melhoraram significativamente o prognóstico dos doentes com melanoma avançado. Por outro lado, a expansão destes fármacos levou ao aumento do espetro de efeitos adversos cutâneos. Embora a maioria das reações seja de baixo grau, muitas causam morbilidade considerável, com forte impacto na qualidade de vida dos doentes. O diagnóstico precoce e a intervenção atempada poderão evitar a descontinuação dos tratamentos oncológicos. Neste artigo, revemos os efeitos adversos cutâneos das pequenas moléculas e anticorpos monoclonais usados no tratamento do melanoma, assim como a sua fisiopatologia e abordagem terapêutica.

ABSTRACT: Targeted therapy and immunotherapy have markedly improved prognosis of advanced melanoma patients. With expanded use of these drugs, a range of cutaneous adverse events has emerged. Although the vast majority of adverse events are low-grade, they many cause significant morbidity and can affect patients' quality of life. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention may prevent unnecessary discontinuation of life-saving anticancer therapies. In this article, we review the cutaneous adverse events of small molecules and monoclonal antibodies used for the therapy of melanoma and discuss their pathophysiology and recommendations for prevention and management of these adverse events.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Most available studies on the efficacy of topical photodynamic therapy focus on short-to medium-term results. Long-term data are scarce. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of photodynamic therapy with topical methylaminolevulinate to treat Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinoma in the clinical practice setting of a dermato-oncology department. METHODS: The study included patients diagnosed with Bowen's disease or basal cell carcinoma, and who received photodynamic therapy from 2004 to 2008. Treatment protocol and clinical follow-up were standardized. The primary endpoint was clinically observed recurrence in a previous photodynamic therapy-treated area. Descriptive and survival analyses were performed. RESULTS: A total of 31 Bowen's disease lesions and 44 superficial basal cell carcinoma were treated, with a median follow-up of 43.5 months. Recurrence was observed in 14 Bowen's disease lesions (53.8%) and in 11 superficial basal cell carcinoma (33.3%). Significantly higher estimates for recurrence rates were found in patients with Bowen's disease (p=0.0036) or those aged under 58 years (p=0.039). The risk of recurrence was higher in patients with Bowen's disease than in those with superficial basal cell carcinoma and younger patients. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence should be considered when choosing to treat non-melanoma skin cancer with photodynamic therapy. Younger age and Bowen's disease were independent predictors for long-term recurrence, suggesting the need to establish an extended period of follow-up for this subset of patients.