Ocvirk, J., & Rebersek, M. (2008). Managing cutaneous side effects with K1 vitamin creme reduces cutaneous toxicities induced by cetuximab. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26(15, Suppl.), 20750.

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

Patients receiving cetuximab were seen weekly and started with topical 0.1% vitamin K1 cream with urea applied BID, beginning with first noted rash.

Sample Characteristics

  • The study reported on a sample of 30 patients.
  • The sample comprised patients with colorectal cancer being treated with cetuximab who experienced acne-like rash (grade 3: n = 6; grade 2: n = 18; grade 1: n = 6).

Setting

Department of Medical Oncology at the Institute of Oncology Ljubljana in Slovenia

Study Design

This was a case report series.

Measurement Instruments/Methods

Severity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 3.

Results

Rash was improved in all patients after eight to 18 days of initiating cream with urea and 0.1% vitamin K1 applied BID.

Conclusions

Application of cream with urea and 0.1% vitamin K1 BID was effective in managing cetuximab-induced rash.

Limitations

  • This was a case report series.
  • Various grades of rash existed with additive interventions dependent on grade.