title: A prospective randomized trial of topical pimecrolimus for cetuximab-associated acnelike eruption.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinical trials addressing the acneiform rash associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors are lacking.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the ability of topical pimecrolimus to reduce the severity of cetuximab-related facial rash.
  
  
  METHODS
  In all, 24 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer with cetuximab facial rash received twice daily pimecrolimus application for 5 weeks to half of the face. At baseline, week 2, and week 5, a dermatologist performed facial lesion counts, patients reported perceived severity of rash-related symptoms, and standardized facial photographs were obtained for blinded evaluation of global rash severity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment sides had greater decrease in lesion counts than observation sides of face at weeks 2 (P < .001) and 5 (P = .02). However, there were no significant differences in patients' assessment of symptoms and in review of facial photographs for rash severity between treatment and observation sides.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was not placebo controlled.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pimecrolimus application did not translate into clinically meaningful benefit for patients with cetuximab-related facial rash.
authors: Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10022, USA.
authors: Alon
authors: A
authors: Scope
authors: Jocelyn A
authors: JA
authors: Lieb
authors: Stephen W
authors: SW
authors: Dusza
authors: Deborah L
authors: DL
authors: Phelan
authors: Patricia L
authors: PL
authors: Myskowski
authors: Leonard
authors: L
authors: Saltz
authors: Allan C
authors: AC
authors: Halpern
mesh_terms: D017486:Acneiform Eruptions / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000068818:Cetuximab; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003875:Drug Eruptions / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; C117268:pimecrolimus; D000068818:Cetuximab; D016559:Tacrolimus