Decade of Molecular Targeted Therapy: Abdominal Manifestations of Drug Toxicities—What Radiologists Should Know

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 199; no. 1; pp. 58 - 64
• Main Authors: HOLLER HOWARD, Stephanie Anne, KRAJEWSKI, Katherine M, THORNTON, Eavan, JAGANNATHAN, Jyothi P, O'REGAN, Kevin, CLEARY, James, RAMAIYA, Nikhil
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Roentgen Ray Society 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Angiogenesis Inhibitors - adverse effects; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized - adverse effects; Antineoplastic agents; Bevacizumab; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - diagnostic imaging; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury - etiology; Chemotherapy; Cholecystitis - chemically induced; Cholecystitis - diagnostic imaging; Early Diagnosis; Edema - chemically induced; Fatty Liver - chemically induced; Fatty Liver - diagnostic imaging; Female; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Infection - chemically induced; Infection - diagnostic imaging; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molecular Targeted Therapy - adverse effects; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Pancreatitis - chemically induced; Pancreatitis - diagnostic imaging; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; Pyrimidines - adverse effects; Radiography, Abdominal - methods; Sulfonamides - adverse effects; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A - antagonists & inhibitors; Young Adult; Antineoplastic agent; Nuclear medicine; Targeted therapy; Toxicity; Monoclonal antibody; Abdomen; Bevacizumab; drug; Immunomodulator; Vascular endothelium growth factor; Treatment; Radiology; molecular targeted therapy; abdominal toxicities; Antiangiogenic agent
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/AJR.11.7432

Novel drugs targeting molecular pathways involved in tumor development have revolutionized cancer treatment. Radiologists often focus on therapeutic response when evaluating cancer patients and may miss important signs of drug toxicity. This article familiarizes radiologists with the complications of molecular targeted agents in abdominal solid organs, enabling early identification and appropriate intervention and thus reducing patient morbidity and mortality. Knowledge of the common abdominal toxicities--including hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, fluid retention, and infection--is crucial for early diagnosis, which may spare patients devastating complications or the need for surgery.