BACKGROUND: Cutaneous side effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are very frequent and well known. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of papulopustular eruption caused by EGFRIs and to review the relevant literature on therapeutic approaches. METHODS: Twenty cancer patients being treated with EGFRIs were included in the study. Nine of the patients showed grade 1 and 11 showed grade 2 papulopustular eruption. All patients were treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream, which was applied twice daily. Patients with grade 2 eruption also received systemic minocycline 100 mg/day. RESULTS: All patients with grade 1 eruption responded to treatment, with 4/9 experiencing complete resolution of the lesions 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Five out of 11 patients with grade 2 eruption had more than 50% improvement in erythema and pustules, and 1 had complete resolution of the skin lesions. Two patients did not respond to treatment but were significantly improved after substitution of pimecrolimus 1% cream with metronidazole 1% cream. No side effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Our case series shows that pimecrolimus cream may be an effective and safe approach in the management of papulopustular eruption related to EGFRIs. 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: Cutaneous side effects of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are very frequent and well known. The aim of our study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of pimecrolimus 1% cream in the treatment of papulopustular eruption caused by EGFRIs and to review the relevant literature on therapeutic approaches. METHODS: Twenty cancerpatients being treated with EGFRIs were included in the study. Nine of the patients showed grade 1 and 11 showed grade 2 papulopustular eruption. All patients were treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream, which was applied twice daily. Patients with grade 2 eruption also received systemic minocycline 100 mg/day. RESULTS: All patients with grade 1 eruption responded to treatment, with 4/9 experiencing complete resolution of the lesions 2 weeks after the initiation of treatment. Five out of 11 patients with grade 2 eruption had more than 50% improvement in erythema and pustules, and 1 had complete resolution of the skin lesions. Two patients did not respond to treatment but were significantly improved after substitution of pimecrolimus 1% cream with metronidazole 1% cream. No side effects were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Our case series shows that pimecrolimus cream may be an effective and safe approach in the management of papulopustular eruption related to EGFRIs. 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
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 Journal: Cancer Chemother Pharmacol Date: 2019-08-23 Impact factor: 3.333