Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors and Other Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Solid Tumors

Abstract

This article analyzes the risk of infection associated with small molecule kinase inhibitors used to treat solid organ malignancies and establishes specific recommendations. Most of these drugs are orally administered and have the ability to inhibit distinct kinases, which play a major role in cancer initiation and progression. Although the true extent of adverse events is not yet known, risk of infection does not seem to be a major problem with these drugs. Because of the limited clinical experience and the constant evolution of targeted therapies, recommendations may evolve in the near future.

Keywords: ALK inhibitors; BRAF/MEK inhibitors; EGFR inhibitors; Immunosuppression; Kinase inhibitor; Targeted therapy; VEGFR inhibitors; mTOR inhibitors.