<b><i>Background:</i></b> The incidence of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI)-induced papulopustular rash is 60–85%. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> To investigate prophylactic topical treatment for EGFRI-induced rash. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Adult cancer patients initiating treatment with EGFRIs were randomized to receive facial topical treatment with chloramphenicol 3% + prednisolone 0.5% (CHL-PRED) ointment, chloramphenicol 3% (CHL) ointment, or aqua cream (AQUA). The primary end points were the incidence of ≥grade 3 rash using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), on days 14 and 30. A subanalysis was conducted for incidence of a protocol-specified significant rash, defined as ≥10 facial papulopustular lesions. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The per-protocol analysis on day 14 included 69 patients, who received CHL-PRED (21), CHL (23), or AQUA (25). The incidence of CTCAE ≥grade 3 rash was not statistically significant between arms; however, the incidence of the protocol-specified significant rash was: CHL-PRED 14%, CHL 39%, and AQUA 48% (<i>p</i> = 0.03, CHL-PRED vs. AQUA). At 30 days, the CTCAE ≥grade 3 incidence was similar, but the incidences of protocol-specified significant rash were 6%, 16%, and 43% (<i>p</i> = 0.03, CHL-PRED vs. AQUA). No significant differences were found between CHL and CHL-PRED and between CHL and AQUA. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Prophylactic topical CHL-PRED was efficacious when compared to AQUA, in the treatment of EGFRI-induced facial papulopustular rash.
A phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of radium-223 dichloride with exemestane and everolimus in patients with HER2–negative hormone receptor–positive breast cancer and bone metastases