Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Management of Skin Reactions During Cetuximab Treatment in Association With Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy: Update of
Carmine Pinto1, Carlo A Barone, Giampiero Girolomoni
1*Medical Oncology Unit, Clinical Cancer Centre, IRCCS-Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova, Reggio Emilia †Medical Oncology Unit, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Rome ‡Department of Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Verona, Verona §Radiotherapy Unit ∥Oncology Unit, Santa Croce and Carle Hospital, Cuneo ¶Oncology Unit, San Paolo Hospital, Milan #Oncology Unit, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, San Giovanni Rotondo (FG), Italy.
Objectives:
Cetuximab was shown in phase III clinical trials to improve chemotherapy efficacy in patients with advanced colorectal and head-neck cancer. Appropriate management of skin reactions associated with epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor therapy is necessary to allow adequate drug compliance and to improve patient quality of life and outcomes.
Methods:
The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used by a group of experts to produce new Italian recommendations on the management of skin reactions in this setting. Statements were generated on the basis of an updated systematic review of the literature and rated twice by a panel of 38 expert physicians. A meeting of the panel was held after the first rating session.
Results:
Skin reactions included acneiformic rash, skin dryness (xerosis), pruritus, paronychia, hair abnormalities, mucositis, and increased growth of eyelashes or facial hair. Updates of the previous recommendations on the prevention and treatment of each type of reaction were proposed.
Conclusions:
This updated Expert Opinion focuses on how to assess and correctly grade skin reactions according to the latest National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and on how to manage these adverse events in clinical practice.
