Features of the pathogenesis of skin lesions in cancer patients and the therapeutic approach

Background. Wound healing is a complex biological process involving a series of well-coordinated events aimed at restoring the integrity and function of the skin. This process is characterized by the coordinated activity of immune system cells. Resident and recruited immune cells in the skin secrete cytokines and growth factors that promote inflammation. They also interact with non-immune cells to remove invading pathogens and debris. Disruption of immune system regulation at any stage of the process can lead to prolongation of the inflammatory phase and the development of a pathological condition such as a chronic wound. A chronic wound is a defect that does not heal within 12 weeks. Such injuries significantly impair the quality of life of patients and are accompanied by significant economic costs for treatment worldwide. Modern antitumor treatment methods, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, significantly alter immune system function and tissue regeneration processes. In cancer patients, wound healing exhibits a number of peculiarities related to disrupted interactions between innate and adaptive immunity, altered activity of inflammatory mediators, deficiency of cellular repair elements, and disturbances of the skin microbiome. As a result, chronic non-healing wounds develop, the risk of infectious complications increases, and the effectiveness of standard treatment methods decreases. The treatment of both acute and chronic wounds remains one of the pressing issues in modern medicine. The high prevalence of acute/chronic wounds, as well as their significant impact on patients' quality of life and prognosis, necessitate the search for and implementation of effective therapeutic strategies aimed at optimizing reparative processes and reducing the risk of complications.

Results. The article reviews current data on the mechanisms of immunopathogenesis of wound healing in cancer patients, the role of antitumour therapy in its disruption, and the latest potential approaches to preventing and correcting the identified alterations.

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