Shinohara, A., Ikeda, M., Okuyama, H., Kobayashi, M., Funazaki, H., Mitsunaga, S., . . . Saitoh, S. (2015). Efficacy of prophylactic minocycline treatment for skin toxicities induced by erlotinib plus gemcitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer: A retrospective study. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 16, 221–229.
To evaluate the effects of prophylactic minocycline on skin toxicities associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor (EGFRI) treatment
PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment
Significantly fewer patients who had received prophylactic minocycline developed an acneiform rash (p < 0.001). No differences existed between groups in incidence of rash of grade 2 or higher, and no difference existed between groups in the incidence of paronychia or xerosis.
The findings suggest that prophylactic minocycline may reduce the incidence of low-grade acneiform rash among patients receiving erlotinib and gemcitabine.
The findings suggest that prophylactic minocycline might be helpful in preventing low-grade acneiform rash among patients receiving EGFRIs; however, it did not appear to have any beneficial effect in terms of the development of more severe skin effects. The study design limits the strength of this evidence. Skin toxicities associated with EGFRIs have been well documented, and little evidence exists regarding interventions that are effective to prevent and treat them. Further well designed research in this area is needed.