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Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology
Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology 4/2019

Open Access 01-10-2019 | Antibiotic | Original Article

Prospective, observational practice survey of applied skin care and management of cetuximab-related skin reactions: PROSKIN study

Authors: Sacha I. Rothschild, Daniel Betticher, Reinhard Zenhäusern, Sandro Anchisi, Roger von Moos, Miklos Pless, Peter Moosmann, Razvan A. Popescu, Antonello Calderoni, Marco Dressler, Daniel Rauch, Stefanie Pederiva, Regina Woelky, Claudia Papet, Vera Bühler, Markus Borner

Published in: Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology | Issue 4/2019

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Abstract

Purpose

The study aimed to investigate strategies to prevent and treat cetuximab-induced skin reactions and their perceived effectiveness in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and recurrent/metastatic squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN).

Methods

This open-label, prospective observational study was conducted in Switzerland.

Results

A total of 125 patients were included (n = 91 mCRC, n = 34 SCCHN; mean age 63.3 years; 73.6% males). The frequency of acneiform rash grade ≥ 2 increased from 12.6% at week 2 to 21.7% at week 16. The proportion of patients who reported no skin reaction decreased from 75.6% at week 2 to 43.3% at week 16. The most frequently used skin products at any time of observation were moisturizing (77.6%), lipid-regenerating (56.8%) or urea-containing products (52%), systemic antibiotics (49.6%), and vitamin K1 cream (43.2%). There was no clear effectiveness pattern for all product classes: in given patients, either the product showed no effect at all or a moderate/strong effect, consistently over time.

Conclusions

A great variety of low-cost general skin care products were commonly used. According to physician’s preference, systemic antibiotics and vitamin K1 cream are an appropriate approach to prevent or treat cetuximab-related skin toxicity.
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Metadata
Title
Prospective, observational practice survey of applied skin care and management of cetuximab-related skin reactions: PROSKIN study
Authors
Sacha I. Rothschild
Daniel Betticher
Reinhard Zenhäusern
Sandro Anchisi
Roger von Moos
Miklos Pless
Peter Moosmann
Razvan A. Popescu
Antonello Calderoni
Marco Dressler
Daniel Rauch
Stefanie Pederiva
Regina Woelky
Claudia Papet
Vera Bühler
Markus Borner
Publication date
01-10-2019
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology / Issue 4/2019
Print ISSN: 0344-5704
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0843
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00280-019-03927-x

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