Managing Wound Risks in Patients on TKIs
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), widely used in cancer therapy, can impair wound healing by inhibiting pathways critical for tissue repair—such as VEGFR, EGFR, FGFR, and PDGFR. A recent review highlights the need for tailored perioperative planning and interdisciplinary collaboration to mitigate these risks.
Key Highlights:
- Mechanism of Impaired Healing: By blocking angiogenesis, fibroblast activity, and keratinocyte function, TKIs increase risk for delayed healing, dehiscence, ulceration, and fistula development. Common agents include sunitinib, cabozantinib, lenvatinib, and sorafenib. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
- Clinical Evidence: Of the 24 TKIs reviewed, many are cited in phase II trials and case reports showing significant wound complications—e.g., cabozantinib associated with grade 3–5 healing problems in ~24% of patients. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
- Perioperative Strategies: Since TKIs’ half-lives vary (e.g., sunitinib ~51 hours), therapy cessation 1–2 weeks before surgery is advised, with resumption only after confirmed healing. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- Interdisciplinary Coordination: Optimal care relies on collaboration among dermatologists, surgeons, and oncologists—especially for patients undergoing skin surgery like Mohs, grafting, or chronic wound management. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
This review underscores the importance of awareness among dermatology and surgical teams when treating patients on TKIs, ensuring appropriate timing of interventions to support wound integrity.
Read the full article on the Dermatology Times website.
Keywords:
TKI wound healing,
tyrosine kinase inhibitors,
perioperative management,
angiogenesis,
dermatology-oncology collaboration