Epidermal Growth Factor Inhibitor-induced Cutaneous Toxicity Improves with Moisturizers

Abstract

Although epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are one of the most effective treatment options for lung cancer, they frequently cause cutaneous toxicity that can lead to treatment discontinuation. Dryness, which is a common form of cutaneous toxicity, is usually treated using medical moisturizing agents. We aimed to investigate the treatment of cutaneous toxicity caused by EGFR inhibitors by comparing patients who used a cosmetic moisturizer with those who used conventional medical moisturizers. This study included 12 patients with lung cancer, who were receiving EGFR inhibitors and using topical medical moisturizers. The participants were assigned to a group that continued using medical moisturizers or a group that began using NOV^® skin cream D. The study’s findings showed that like conventional medical moisturizers, NOV^®skin cream D improved the cutaneous dryness caused by EGFR inhibitors and that it might additionally improve patients’ quality of life. Also, we obtained novel findings that NOV^® skin cream D normalized keratinization, which is a component of normal skin cell differentiation impeded by EGFR inhibitors. Hence, the cosmetic moisturizer may help to prevent the discontinuation of EGFR inhibitors, thereby ensuring their continuous therapeutic effects.