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. 2022 Nov 5;22(1):1140.
doi: 10.1186/s12885-022-10226-x.

The effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor on radiation dermatitis in rectal and anal cancer patients: a self-controlled study

Shuai Liu #  1   2 , Yun-Long Wang #  1   2 , Shu-Ting Shi #  1 , Guang-Dong Zeng  1   2 , Yi-Wen Song  1 , Xiao-Dong Zhang  3 , Jian Zheng  1 , Xin-Juan Fan  4   5 , Yan-Ping Liu  6
Affiliations

The effect of recombinant human epidermal growth factor on radiation dermatitis in rectal and anal cancer patients: a self-controlled study

Shuai Liu et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: Our previous study reported that recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF)-triggered EGFR internalization promoted radioresistance. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effect of rhEGF on the skin protection of rectal and anal cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-three rectal and anal cancer patients who received radiotherapy were prospectively enrolled from January 2019 to December 2020. To perform self-controlled study, the left and right pelvic skin area (separated by midline) were randomly assigned to the rhEGF and control side. The association between radiation dermatitis and factors including rhEGF, the dose of radiotherapy and tumor distance from anal edge were analyzed.

Results: Among 193 enrolled patients, 41 patients (21.2%) did not develop radiation dermatitis, and 152 patients (78.8%) suffered radiation dermatitis on at least one side of pelvic skin at the end of radiotherapy. For the effect on radiation dermatitis grade, rhEGF had improved effect on 6 (4.0%) patients, detrimental effect on 2 (1.3%) patients, and no effect on 144 (94.7%) patients. Whereas for the effect on radiation dermatitis area, rhEGF showed improved effect on the radiation dermatitis area of 46 (30.2%) patients, detrimental effect on 15 (9.9%) patients, and no effect on 91 (59.9%) patients. The radiation dermatitis area of rhEGF side was significantly smaller than that of control side (P = 0.0007).

Conclusions: rhEGF is a skin protective reagent for rectal and anal cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry identifier: ChiCTR1900020842; Date of registration: 20/01/2019.

Keywords: Clinical trial; Radiation dermatitis; Rectal and anal cancer; rhEGF.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) flowchart
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
An example radiation dermatitis. The left and right sides were all classified as radiation dermatitis grade 2 for the appearance of bright red erythema, flaky wet desquamation according to RTOG system. The area of radiation dermatitis was scored 1 point on the left and 2 points on the right of the body according to the palm five-point scale
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
rhEGF treatment reduced the radiation dermatitis area of patients. A, the difference of RD area between rhEGF and control side on 152 patients were compared using paired t-test. B, the area changes resulting from rhEGF treatment. The X axis showed the difference in RD area score (rhEGF – Control)
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