A novel topical antipruritic spray containing traditional Chinese medicine ingredients has shown effectiveness in alleviating rash and itching symptoms in cancer patients receiving epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, according to a recent clinical study published in the journal Medicine.
The randomized controlled trial included 120 patients with malignant tumors who experienced rash after epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) drug treatment. Participants were divided into an experimental group, treated with the hospital's self-made antipruritic spray, and a control group, treated with erythromycin ointment. The treatment lasted for 14 consecutive days, and patients were monitored for changes in rash severity, itching intensity, and quality of life.
Results showed that after 7 weeks of intervention, the total effective rate of rash treatment in the experimental group (91.67%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (36.67%). The antipruritic spray also effectively reduced itching severity, with a 53.84% decrease in the number of cases with grade 3 itching in the experimental group. Furthermore, patients in the experimental group reported significant improvements in their dermatology life quality index (DLQI) scores compared to the control group.
The self-made antipruritic spray contains traditional Chinese medicine ingredients such as Phellodendron amurense, Artemisia annua, Sophora flavescens, and Sanguisorba officinalis. These components are believed to possess anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that contribute to the spray's effectiveness in managing EGFR-related skin adverse reactions.
The study's findings suggest that the topical antipruritic spray may provide a promising alternative for cancer patients experiencing dermatitis due to EGFR-targeted therapy. Its ease of use, minimal side effects, and significant improvements in patient symptoms and quality of life make it a potential valuable addition to the management of EGFR-related skin toxicities. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and optimal dosage of the spray in larger patient populations.
The authors declared having no competing interests.
