Reguiai, Z., Bachet, J.B., Bachmeyer, C., Peuvrel, L., Beylot-Barry, M., Bezier, M., . . . Bouche, O. (2012). Management of cutaneous adverse events induced by anti-EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor): A French interdisciplinary therapeutic algorithm. Supportive Care in Cancer, 20, 1395–1404.
To draft an algorithm for optimal management of cutaneous adverse events with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-inhibitors in patients receiving EGFR treatment.
The quality of publications was analyzed using the Oxford scale for methodology. Information about practices was collected through a questionnaire developed by a steering committee. The questionnaire was completed by 67 individuals including oncologists, gastroenterologists, and radiotherapists via regional meetings in seven towns in France, chaired by three to five local experts. A national meeting was held to build an algorithm. Participants comprised 20 members who were on the steering committee, were regional meeting chairs, and were in a bibliographic study group.
Databases searched were PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Collaboration. Reference lists of articles retrieved were manually searched.
Search keywords were EGFR inhibitor (and each specific drug name), skin toxicity, rash, acne, aceneiform, nail, paronychia, hair, alopecia, hirsutism, hypertrichosis, trichomegaly, xerosis, pruritus, and itch.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria were not stated.
This algorithm recommended prophylactic use of systemic cyclines with EGFR treatment across the board. Additional skin and nail care recommendations provided generally are seen elsewhere and are in agreement with expert consensus. A lack of clarity exists regarding dose reduction or treatment delays and the impact on skin symptoms. In addition, a lack of research evidence exists for interventions other than cyclines.