A cream that treats the severe side effects of targeted treatment in cancer patients, significantly improving their quality of life, has been developed by researchers at the Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem.
A new study led by Dr. Sharon Merims, Dermatologist and head of the Dermato-Oncology clinic at Hadassah and Prof. Ofra Benny of HU’s School of Pharmacy has now been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine under the title “Preventing skin toxicities induced by EGFR inhibitors by topically blocking drug-receptor interactions.”
Current oncology treatments are meant to block a specific receptor on the tumour, leading to a delay in the cancer cells’ growth and a regression of the disease. Since this specific receptor is also found in healthy skin cells, skin toxicity is a known side effect of targeted cancer treatment.
With colon cancer and head-and-neck cancer, the treatment protocol focuses on blocking a specific receptor for the EGFR pathway, which is critical for the growth and function of those cancerous cells. However, it is also important for preserving healthy skin cells.
The result is that while the targeted therapy can be effective in treating the cancer, 90% of patients will develop skin toxicity with severe facial rashes. Besides the discomfort caused by the rash, it can influence the patients’ emotional well-being and may even impact their willingness to continue treatment. The rashes caused by skin toxicity vary in location and appearance, but one of the most prominent features is severe facial rashes that significantly damage the patients’ quality of life. Until now, no efficient treatment has been available for these severe rashes.
This new study, headed by Benny and Merims has succeeded in helping patients by preventing these rashes: a new cream with an active component that blocks the pathway of the cancer treatment drug to the EGFR receptor, prevents damage to the healthy skin cells but does not impede the cancer treatment.
The researchers faced another problem in that skin affected by toxicity is one of the least penetrable organs in the body, making it a significant challenge to transmit drugs to the deep layers of the skin. To achieve this, the researchers relied on an earlier study that developed a special transmission mechanism using nano-molecules to deliver the drug to the hair follicles, where most of the damage to the skin occurs.
Benny noted that “as a result of this new drug, we can continue treating the cancer, as well as prevent the negative side effect of the rashes so the patients’ quality of life is maintained while they are being treated for the cancer.”
Merims explained that “patients with skin toxicity with severe facial rashes suffer greatly with emotional distress since their side effects are visible to everyone, as opposed to toxicities affecting internal organs. Existing treatments to prevent or reduce toxicity and rash are not effective. The patient’s suffering is mostly alleviated by reducing the dose of cancer treatment or stopping treatment for a short time to help the skin recover– but although these actions may be necessary, they can interfere with the treatment of cancerous tumours.”
‘’The novel approach developed will enable cancer treatment while neutralising damage to the skin, therefore preventing skin toxicity and rashes.’’
Editor’s Notes
An excerpt from an article by Judy Siegel-Itzkovich first published in the Jerusalem Post.
Read the full article HERE
