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. 2021 Jul;29(7):3497-3506.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05862-7. Epub 2020 Nov 4.

Prospective practice survey of management of cetuximab-related skin reactions

R T Lugtenberg  1 , C B Boers-Doets  2   3 , P O Witteveen  4 , C M L van Herpen  5 , A N M Wymenga  6 , J W B de Groot  7 , A Hoeben  8 , C Del Grande  9 , B van Doorn  9 , J J Koldenhof  4 , C M L Driessen  5 , H Gelderblom  10
Affiliations

Prospective practice survey of management of cetuximab-related skin reactions

R T Lugtenberg et al. Support Care Cancer. 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Purpose: Evidence-based guidelines on how to prevent or treat cetuximab-related skin reactions are lacking and multiple care and management strategies are used. The main purpose of the present study is to gain information about the different skincare products being used against skin reactions in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) and recurrent/metastatic (R/M) or locally advanced (LA) squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (SCCHN) patients treated with cetuximab.

Methods: An open-label, prospective observational study conducted in the Netherlands. The occurrence of skin reactions and the care and management options taken were documented for 16 weeks, starting from the first administration of cetuximab.

Results: A total of 103 patients were included in 7 hospitals. 38 patients (37%) developed a grade ≥ 2 skin reaction. Eighty-six patients could be analysed for the primary endpoint (73.3% males, mean age 62.4 years, n = 44 LA SCCHN, n = 16 R/M SCCHN, n = 26 mCRC). The most frequently used skin products at some point during the observation period were moisturizing products (70%), systemic antibiotics (64%), topical antibiotics (58%), lipid-regenerating (28%) and other topical products (28%). The overall use of products gradually increased from baseline to week 6-10, reducing by week 16. Hospital protocols were the primary reason (> 50%) for choice of the skincare products and medications.

Conclusion: A variety of skin care products and antibiotics were commonly used. Only few patients developed severe cutaneous reactions. For patients, the occurrence of skin reactions did not influence their willingness to continue cetuximab therapy.

Keywords: Cetuximab; Colorectal cancer; Head and neck cancer; Management; Skin reaction.

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Conflict of interest statement

This study was sponsored by Merck B.V., Schiphol-Rijk, The Netherlands, an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany. C. del Grande and B. van Doorn are employees of Merck B.V. The other authors do not have financial relationships with Merck B.V.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consort flow diagram
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Healthcare providers’ perceived effectiveness of applied skin products
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Patients’ perceptions of the measures taken and effect on skin reactions
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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