The most common adverse event of
epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, used to treat colorectal, non-small cell lung, and head and
neck cancers, is
acneiform eruption, with a profound effect on treatment continuation. Prolonged
acneiform eruptions treated with topical
corticosteroids, a standard management, may be associated with secondary
bacterial infections, thus there is a need for new treatments. We conducted a multicenter, phase II trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical
benzoyl peroxide for
epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced prolonged
acneiform eruptions. Patients with colorectal, non-small lung cell, and head and
neck cancers who received
epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors for >10 weeks and had persistent
acneiform eruptions were eligible. Topical
benzoyl peroxide was applied to the affected area of the face once daily for 8 weeks; a clinical evaluation was performed every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was a change in
acneiform eruption severity evaluated between disease onset and end of the treatment period. The quality of life of patients was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index. Of the 14 enrolled patients, 11 completed the trial. The protocol-specified grade of
acneiform eruptions from baseline to week 8 improved from 2.0 to 1.0 (P < 0.01). The dermatology life quality index score from baseline to week 8 improved from 3.0 to 1.0 point (P < 0.01). No patient experienced severe adverse events. Overall, topical
benzoyl peroxide may be effective for treating and managing prolonged
acneiform eruptions induced by
epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.