Erosive Pustular Dermatosis of the Scalp Due to EGFR Inhibitors: A Multicentric Study by EADV Task Force of Dermatology for Cancer Patients

This multicentric study by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology's task force investigated erosive pustular dermatosis of the scalp (EPDS) induced by epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, involving 46 patients across 14 Oncodermatology Units in Europe and Argentina. EPDS, a rare inflammatory condition, was found to appear approximately 17 weeks after starting EGFR inhibitors, a shorter latency than the typical 6 months for other triggers. The study highlighted the condition's clinical features, such as diffuse erythema and hyperkeratotic crusts, and noted that 47.8% of cases were severe (Grade 3). Despite the severity, 82.6% of patients continued their cancer treatment without changes. The study suggests early prophylactic minocycline administration to mitigate this side effect in patients undergoing anti-EGFR therapy. Limitations include the absence of a control group and variability in reporting standards.