Journal
ONCOLOGIST
Volume 15, Issue 9, Pages 1016-1022Publisher
ALPHAMED PRESS
DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0082
Keywords
Sunscreen; Rash; EGFR; Placebo
Categories
Funding
- Public Health Service grants [CA-25224, CA-37404, CA-63848, CA-35195, CA-52352, CA-35090, CA-35101, CA-35269, CA-37417, CA-35448, CA-35267, CA-63849, CA-35113, CA-60276, CA-35103, CA-35415, CA-35119, CA-35431]
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Purpose. Rash occurs in >50% of patients prescribed epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. This study was undertaken to determine whether sunscreen prevents or mitigates these rashes. Methods. This placebo-controlled, double-blinded trial enrolled rash-free patients starting an EGFR inhibitor. Patients were randomly assigned to sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 60 applied twice a day for 28 days versus placebo. They were then monitored for rash and quality of life (Skindex-16) during the 4-week intervention and for an additional 4 weeks. Results. Fifty-four patients received sunscreen, and 56 received placebo; the arms were balanced at baseline. During the 4-week intervention, physician-reported rash occurred in 38 (78%) and 39 (80%) sunscreen-treated and placebo-exposed patients, respectively (p = 1.00); no significant differences in rash rates emerged over the additional 4 weeks. There were no significant differences in rash severity, and patient-reported outcomes of rash yielded similar conclusions. Adjustment for sun intensity by geographical zone, season, and use of photosensitivity medications did not yield a significant difference in rash across study arms (p = .20). Quality of life scores declined but remained comparable between arms. Conclusions. Sunscreen, as prescribed in this trial, did not prevent or attenuate EGFR inhibitor induced rash. The Oncologist 2010;15:1016-1022
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