Rash from EGFR Inhibitors: Opportunities and Challenges for Palliation
July 2008
in “
Current Oncology Reports
”
TLDR EGFR cancer drugs often cause a rash, which can lead to distress and isolation, but may also improve outcomes for some cancer patients. Current treatments for the rash are limited, but a compound called menadione shows promise.
The 2008 document discussed the side effects of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, a class of cancer drugs, with a rash being the most common, affecting over 70% of patients. Other side effects included dry skin in 35% of patients, changes in hair growth, and painful inflammation around the nails. The rash was linked to improved clinical outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer and pancreatic cancer patients, but could also cause psychological distress and social isolation. Treatments for the rash were limited, with minocycline and tetracycline showing modest effects. The document suggested further study of menadione, a compound that showed promise in preventing EGFR inhibitor-induced rash. It also highlighted the need for clinical trials with a comparative arm to assess the efficacy of interventions, and raised concerns about potential interference of rash prevention agents with cancer therapy.
