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. 2014 Sep;32(3):156-62.
doi: 10.3857/roj.2014.32.3.156. Epub 2014 Sep 30.

The safety and efficacy of EGF-based cream for the prevention of radiotherapy-induced skin injury: results from a multicenter observational study

Hyun-Cheol Kang  1 , Seung-Do Ahn  2 , Doo-Ho Choi  3 , Min Kyu Kang  4 , Woong-Ki Chung  5 , Hong-Gyun Wu  6
Affiliations

The safety and efficacy of EGF-based cream for the prevention of radiotherapy-induced skin injury: results from a multicenter observational study

Hyun-Cheol Kang et al. Radiat Oncol J. 2014 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topically applied recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF) for the prevention of radiation-induced dermatitis in cancer patients.

Materials and methods: From December 2010 to April 2012, a total of 1,172 cancer patients who received radiotherapy (RT) of more than 50 Gy were prospectively enrolled and treated with EGF-based cream. An acute skin reaction classified according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 6-point rating scale was the primary end point and we also assessed the occurrence of edema, dry skin, or pruritus.

Results: The percentage of radiation dermatitis with maximum grade 0 and grade 1 was 19% and 58% at the time of 50 Gy, and it became 29% and 47% after completion of planned RT. This increment was observed only in breast cancer patients (from 18%/62% to 32%/49%). Adverse events related to the EGF-based cream developed in 49 patients (4%) with mild erythema the most common. Skin toxicity grade >2 was observed in 5% of the patients. Edema, dry skin, and pruritus grade ≥3 developed in 9%, 9%, and 1% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Prophylactic use of an EGF-based cream is effective in preventing radiation dermatitis with tolerable toxicity. Further studies comparing EGF cream with other topical agents may be necessary.

Keywords: Cancer; Dermatitis; Epidermal growth factor; Radiation induced dermatitis; Radiotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Patient disposition. ITT, intention-to-treat analysis; PP, perprotocol analysis.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Mean value of radiation dermatitis grade according to radiation dose range.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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