Published online Aug 7, 2019. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i29.4007
Peer-review started: January 18, 2019
First decision: January 30, 2019
Revised: February 7, 2019
Accepted: February 22, 2019
Article in press: February 23, 2019
Published online: August 7, 2019
Processing time: 202 Days and 20.1 Hours
Skin adverse events not previously reported with conventional chemotherapy are associated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy.
Although prophylactic actions are recommended to prevent these skin toxicities, routine clinical management and impact on quality of life remain unknown.
The present study aimed to assess the dermatological toxicities reported after panitumumab initiation, their impact on the quality of life and the clinical practices for their management.
We performed a prospective multicenter observational study in 229 adult patients who began treatment with panitumumab for wild-type KRAS metastatic colorectal cancer. The incidence of dermatological toxicities, clinical practices for their management and impact on quality of life were recorded during a 6-mo follow-up.
More than half of patients had dermatological toxicity; this rate peaked at month 2. The most frequent dermatological toxicities were rash/acneiform rash, xerosis and skin cracks. At least one preventive treatment was administered to two thirds of patients (oral antibiotics, emollients or both). The impact of the dermatological toxicities on quality of life was limited.
The rates of the different skin toxicities peaked at various times and were improved at the end of follow-up. The impact of skin toxicities on patient’s quality of life appeared to be limited.
The management of the skin toxicities could be optimized with a better adherence to current recommendations.