Major Findings

Infigratinib is a fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat patients with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced, or metastatic cholangiocarcinoma. While infigratinib has shown efficacy in treating cholangiocarcinoma, some side effects have been reported. 2 , , 3 , 4 . These studies found that infigratinib can cause side effects that affect the skin, hair, and nails, including onycholysis, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, and stomatitis. 3 , 4 . Infigratinib may also cause side effects that affect the eyes, such as blepharitis and conjunctivitis. .

Reasons for side effects

Infigratinib inhibits FGFR, which blocks cell growth and survival. However, FGFR is found in various tissues, so administering infigratinib may also affect these tissues. This effect is believed to be the cause of side effects. 3 , 4 .

Common side effects

Skin side effects

Infigratinib can cause side effects that affect the skin, hair, and nails. These side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity. The most common skin side effects include nail detachment, palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome, and stomatitis. 3 . In rare cases, serious skin side effects such as calciphylaxis have also been reported. 3 .

Ocular side effects

Infigratinib may cause ocular side effects. . These side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity. The most common ocular side effects include blepharitis and conjunctivitis. .

Countermeasures for side effects

Countermeasures for skin side effects

If you experience skin side effects, consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe treatment such as steroid ointment depending on the severity of your symptoms. 3 .

Countermeasures for ocular side effects

If you experience ocular side effects, consult your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe treatment such as eye drops depending on the severity of your symptoms. .

Comparison between studies

Commonalities between studies

All of these studies evaluated the side effects of infigratinib. 2 , , 3 , 4 . All of these studies suggest that the side effects of infigratinib may be caused by the inhibition of FGFR. 3 , 4 .

Differences between studies

These studies differ in terms of the side effects targeted, the research methods, and the data collection methods. 2 , , 3 , 4 . Therefore, it is impossible to directly compare the research results.

Things to keep in mind about applying research to real life

Infigratinib is an effective treatment, but it comes with the risk of side effects. If you are taking infigratinib, you need to consult with your doctor to fully understand the risks and benefits and receive treatment. 3 , 4 .

Limitations of current research

All of these studies were conducted on a relatively small number of patients. 2 , , 3 , 4 . Therefore, the results of these studies may not apply to all patients. Also, all of these studies conducted a short-term follow-up. 2 , , 3 , 4 . Therefore, there is still insufficient data on the long-term side effects of infigratinib.

Future research directions

In the future, it is necessary to conduct long-term follow-up studies on a larger number of patients to further investigate the side effects of infigratinib. 2 , , 3 , 4 . It is also necessary to conduct research to elucidate the mechanisms of infigratinib's side effects. These studies are expected to lead to the development of methods to reduce the side effects of infigratinib and to predict the risk of side effects.

Conclusion

Infigratinib is an effective drug for the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma. However, side effects such as skin, hair, nails, and eyes have been reported. If you are taking infigratinib, you need to consult with your doctor to fully understand the risks and benefits and receive treatment. 2 , , 3 , 4 .