Background:
Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs), including
cetuximab,
erlotinib,
gefitinib and
icotinib, have been proven to be effective in treating
colorectal cancer or
lung cancer. However, most of patients who receive EGFRIs treatment experience cutaneous toxicities, such as acneiform or papulopustular rashes, which affects quality of life and leads to discontinuation of
cancer therapies. Honeysuckle is a traditional herb historically used to treat
skin rash for thousands of years in Eastern Asia and showed proven safety in human. Methods: To investigate whether honeysuckle
therapy could control EGFRIs induced acneiform rashes, a total of 139 colorectal and
lung cancer patients with EGFRIs treatments were recruited in a prospective study. Patients were randomized to 3 arms (Arm A: prophylactic treatment with honeysuckle before
rash occurred; Arm B: symptomatic treatment with honeysuckle when
rash occurred; Arm C: conventional treatment with
minocycline and a topical
solution when
rash occurred). The incidences, severities and recovery time of acneiform
rash were observed in each arm. Results: Honeysuckle treatment reduced incidences of EGFRIs induced acneiform
rash, which were 56.5, 68.1 and 71.7% in Arm A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.280). Severities of
rash (CTCAE grade 2 and 3) were significantly lower in prophylactic honeysuckle treatment (Arm A) compared to conventional treatment (Arm C) (p = 0.027), which was 10-21%, respectively. Patients with honeysuckle treatment recovered more quickly from
pruritus, the median time was 22, 36 and 58 days in Arm A, B and C, respectively (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Honeysuckle was effective in reducing incidences and severities of EGFRIs induced acneiform
rash, especially for prophylactic treatment.