Acneiform eruptions occur frequently and early in patients on
epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRi). Identification of baseline patient risk factors would prompt earlier referral to dermatology to optimize prevention and management. The primary objective of this retrospective study is to determine the association between clinical and demographic characteristics and the development of
acneiform eruptions. A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients diagnosed with colon and head and
neck cancers who started EGFRi between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients were followed until death or September 2022. Baseline demographic and clinical parameters were documented and patients were followed from the time of diagnosis to most recent visit for the development and management of an
acneiform eruption. Regression analyses were performed to determine the association between baseline characteristics and the development of
acneiform eruptions. A total of 66 patients were treated with
cetuximab or
panitumumab between 2017-2021 were included in the analysis. Forty-seven of the sixty-six patients developed an
acneiform eruption while on EGFRi
therapy (71.2%). Combination
cancer therapy with another chemotherapeutic agent was associated with a lower risk of
acneiform eruption (OR 0.03, P = .027). No other baseline features were statistically associated with a lower risk of
acneiform eruption.
Acneiform eruptions are a common cutaneous adverse event of EGFRi
therapy. Ongoing research is required to elucidate risk factors for the development of
acneiform eruptions, to improve the quality of life of oncology patients.