Ophthalmic complications of targeted therapies: a review

• Main Author: Deepti Sharma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2017-01-01
• Series: Delta Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: epidermal growth factor receptor; ocular side effects; targeted therapy; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor
• Online Access: http://www.djo.eg.net/article.asp?issn=1110-9173;year=2017;volume=18;issue=3;spage=117;epage=122;aulast=Sharma

Recently, there has been an increase in the use of targeted therapies for cancer treatments. Nevertheless, the ocular side effects of the commonly used targeted agents are generally under-reported and not well studied in the literature. The aim of this study was to review common targeted therapies leading to ocular side effects and their management. A database search was conducted on Google scholar, PubMed and Medline using phrase words, ‘targeted therapy’, ‘ocular toxicity’, ‘antineoplastic agent’ and ‘management’. Ocular toxicity has been described with numerous approved targeted agents and also seems to be associated with several classes of agents currently being tested in early-phase clinical trials. It is important for oncologists to be aware of the potential for ocular toxicity, with prompt recognition of symptoms that require referral to an ophthalmologist. The ocular side effects of targeted therapy are clinically relevant and can be present in up to 70% of patients depending on the medication used. Because no screening protocol is recommended, ophthalmologists and oncologists should be vigilant; however, a dose reduction or cessation of therapy is only rarely necessary.