Background: BRAF and MEK inhibitors are new targeted therapies which are used in the treatment of malignancies, in particular of malignant melanoma.
Side effects: Cutaneous side effects are common during the treatment with both types of inhibitors. These side effects include inflammatory reactions such as maculopapular and papulopustular exanthema, hand-foot syndrome, panniculitis, paronychia, photo- and radio-sensitization. As a class effect, BRAF-inhibitors induce proliferative disorders of keratinocytes and melanocytes, such as palmoplantar hyperkeratosis (as part of the hand-foot syndrome), verruciform and acanthoma-like lesions, follicular and Grover disease-like hyperkeratoses, keratoacanthomas, squamous cell carcinomas and atypical melanocytic nevi with transition to secondary melanomas. Furthermore, hair alterations and xerosis are possible.
Conclusions: Treatment with BRAF and MEK inhibitors requires close dermatologic monitoring of the patient. This manuscript summarizes the most frequent cutaneous side effects and their management.