Symptoms and grading

Side effects of the hair, associated with multikinase treatment

Definition: The main hair change occurring with multikinase inhibitors is alopecia, defined as a decrease in hair density compared to normal.¹ Hair colour changes can also occur, for example greying of hair which has been reported with imatinib and sunitinib.²Repigmentation of grey hair has also been reported with imatinib.³ Hair changes may include elongation and curling of the eyelashes (trichomegaly) and hypertrichosis (including facial hirsutism) or a decrease in hair growth kinetics, whereas scalp and extremity hair may become curly, fine and brittle.^2,4

Incidence: Alopecia is reported as a common (≥1/100 to <1/10) or very common (≥1/10) adverse reaction occurring with multikinase inhibitors including, cabozantinib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, dasatinib, pazopanib and sorafenib.^5-19 Hair colour changes (greying of hair) are also common or very common with cabozantinib, pazopanib, vandetanib, sunitinib and imatinib^{5-8, 16-17, 20-25}Repigmentation of grey hair has been reported in a small proportion of patients treated with imatinib.³It has been shown that in general patients treated with targeted therapies have an increased risk of all-grade alopecia compared to placebo, but a lower risk when compared to chemotherapy.²⁶

Grading and lesion characteristics: According to the CTCAEv.5.0,¹ alopecia is defined as “A disorder characterised by a decrease in density of hair, compared to normal, for a given individual at a given age and body location.” With targeted therapy, thinning hair is reported regularly, while partial alopecia is reported less frequently.

Table 14: Grading of Alopecia according to the CTCAEv5.0

Grade	Description
1	Hair loss of <50% of normal for that individual, that is not obvious from a distance but only on close inspection; a different hair style may be required to cover the hair loss, but it does not require a wig or hair piece to camouflage
2	Hair loss of ≥50% normal for that individual, that is readily apparent to others; a wig or hair piece is necessary if the patient desires to completely camouflage the hair loss; associated with psychosocial impact

Table 15: Grading of Scalp hair loss or Alopecia according to MESTT²⁷

Grade	Description
1	Terminal hair loss < 50% of normal for that individual, that may or may not be noticeable to others but is associated with increased shedding and overall feeling of less volume. May require different hair style to cover but does not require hairpiece to camouflage
2	2A Hair loss associated with marked increase in shedding and 50%-74% loss compared to normal for that individual. Hair loss is apparent to others, may be difficult to camouflage with change in hair style and may require hairpiece 2B Marked loss of at least 75% hair compared to normal for that individual with inability to camouflage except with a full wig OR new cicatricial hair loss documented by biopsy that covers at least 5% scalp surface area. May impact on functioning in social, personal or professional situations

Grade

Description

1

Terminal hair loss < 50% of normal for that individual, that may or may not be noticeable to others but is associated with increased shedding and overall feeling of less volume. May require different hair style to cover but does not require hairpiece to camouflage

2

2A Hair loss associated with marked increase in shedding and 50%-74% loss compared to normal for that individual. Hair loss is apparent to others, may be difficult to camouflage with change in hair style and may require hairpiece

2B Marked loss of at least 75% hair compared to normal for that individual with inability to camouflage except with a full wig OR new cicatricial hair loss documented by biopsy that covers at least 5% scalp surface area. May impact on functioning in social, personal or professional situations

Onset: Alopecia with sorafenib therapy is reported to occur around week 3- 15 of treatment initiation and hair may regrow even while patients are still on treatment during weeks 3–15 of therapy;²⁸ hair colour changes (depigmentation) can be seen 5-6 weeks after treatment initiation and is reversible 2-3 weeks after treatment is completed.²⁹

Resolution: Alopecia is temporary and may spontaneously resolve in some patients despite continued multikinase inhibitor therapy.² Also see Prophylaxis and treatment - reactive management - hair changes page.

Grade 1 Alopecia

Hair loss of <50% of normal for that individual that is not obvious from a distance but only on close inspection; a different hair style may be required to cover the hair loss, but it does not require a wig or hair piece to camouflage.

Grade 2 Alopecia

Hair loss of ≥50% normal for that individual that is readily apparent to others; a wig or hair piece is necessary if the patient desires to completely camouflage the hair loss; associated with psychosocial impact.

Related Links

References

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