Balneotherapy as a promising method for the correction of dermatologic adverse events of cancer therapy

Abstract

Cancer treatment with chemotherapy, targeted and immunotherapy is associated with a wide spectrum of dermatologic adverse events. Xerosis (dryness) of the skin is the most prevalent skin side effect in oncologic patients, which occurs both during treatment with "classic" chemotherapy drugs and modern cancer drugs, such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Despite the high prevalence of this side effect, current approaches to the correction of skin xerosis in cancer patients are very limited. At the same time, in the absence of adequate supportive treatment of xerosis, the formation of persistent fissures, eczematization and secondary infection is observed, which may lead to antitumor therapy regimen modification. Thus, optimization of prophylactic and treatment strategies for xerosis in patients treated with anticancer drugs remain an important interdisciplinary problem. Balneotherapy is a promising method for the correction of skin xerosis due to a complex positive effect on the level of skin hydration, a decrease in the intensity of inflammatory processes, a beneficial effect on the state of the skin barrier function, as well as an increase in antimicrobial protection. Available data on the use of balneotherapy in the supportive treatment of skin xerosis as a dermatological adverse event of anticancer therapy confirms the high efficacy and safety, as well as good tolerability of this method in cancer patients.