Targeted Drug Therapies: Beyond Blood Counts and Chemistries

Although the field of oncology pharmacotherapy has progressed rapidly with the introduction of novel targeted therapies, there are many unintended side effects that require knowledge of laboratory monitoring for appropriate management. The purpose of this article is to summarize the importance of appropriately interpreting laboratory test results, understanding the implications of blood chemistries, and using resources available for monitoring the parameters of novel oncologic therapies.