Study of Prophylactic Topical Dapsone 5% Gel Versus Moisturizer for Cetuximab-induced Papulopustular (Acneiform) Rash in Patients With mCRC or HNSCC Without Previous or Concurrent RT

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK)

Status and phase: Completed; Phase 3

Conditions: Cetuximab-induced Papulopustular (Acneiform) Rash Who Have; Metastatic Colorectal Cancer or Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Treatments: Drug: Topical Dapsone 5% Gel; Drug: oral antibiotics; Other: Moisturizer

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; Industry

Identifiers

NCT01931150

13-012

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to see if the investigators can prevent or reduce the severity of the Cetuximab-related acne rash. Two different topical agents will be applied to the skin. One topical agent is the dapsone gel and the other is a skin moisturizer. Dapsone gel is an FDA approved medication that you apply to the face. It is commonly used to treat acne. Skin moisturizers are recommended to patients who receive Cetuximab treatment. In addition to these topical agents they will be given a pill to take once a day. This pill has already been shown to help fight rashes from Cetuximab.

Enrollment: 11 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients 18 years or older with underlying diagnosis of metastatic colorectal cancer or head and neck squamous cell carcinoma including newly diagnosed patient
• Patients must provide written informed consent to participate in the study
• Anticipated initiation of cetuximab treatment with or without additional chemotherapy.
• Able to self-administer topical interventions or provide for another person to apply the topical interventions

Exclusion criteria

• Females of childbearing potential who are pregnant or nursing
• Patients with allergy, hypersensitivity or other contraindication to dapsone, sulfa antibiotics, or excipients of the dapsone gel product
• Patients with pre-existing dermatologic condition affecting the face and chest that would impair assessment of papulopustular rash including dense and/or long facial hair (per investigator discretion)
• Patients currently using prescription and/or over-the-counter topical medications to the face and/or chest who are unwilling to discontinue use during the trial intervention period (day 0 ± 2 days through day 28 ± 2 days)
• Previous or concurrent radiation therapy to head, neck, and chest (i.e. application sites only)
• Previous therapy with cetuximab within 6 months of consent

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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11 participants in 2 patient groups

Dapsone LEFT, Moisturizer RIGHT

Experimental group

Description:

Dapsone 5% gel to LEFT side of face and chest BID (morning and evening) Moisturizer to RIGHT side of face and chest BID (morning and evening) AND oral antibiotics (doxycycline 100 mg bid OR minocycline 100 mg once daily or other antibiotic daily)

Treatment:

Other: Moisturizer

Drug: oral antibiotics

Drug: Topical Dapsone 5% Gel

Dapsone RIGHT, Moisturizer LEFT

Experimental group

Description:

Moisturizer to LEFT side of face and chest BID (morning and evening) Dapsone 5% gel to RIGHT side of face and chest BID (morning and evening) AND oral antibiotics (doxycycline 100 mg bid OR minocycline 100 mg once daily or other antibiotic daily)

Treatment:

Other: Moisturizer

Drug: oral antibiotics

Drug: Topical Dapsone 5% Gel