BRAF Inhibitor Gel Improves Acne-Like Skin Rashes in Colorectal Cancer

A novel topical BRAF inhibitor gel, LUT014, significantly reduced the severity of an acne-like rash caused by anti-EGFR therapies in patients with colorectal cancer, according to researchers from UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, in an article. The clinical trial confirmed the treatment’s safety and effectiveness.

According to UCLA health, acne-like rashes are a common and painful side effect experienced by patients undergoing anti-EGFR therapies for colorectal cancer.

Improvement was seen in nearly 70% of patients using the high-dose gel, versus 48% with the low-dose and 33% with the inactive version.

Researchers found that patients using LUT014 gel experienced marked improvements in rash severity and quality of life compared with those receiving a placebo, without interfering with their cancer treatment.

“The findings offer the first real solution in two decades for managing this rash, which frequently impacts patients receiving targeted therapies for colorectal cancer,” study co-author Dr. Zev Wainberg, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said in the article. “The ability to effectively treat it with a simple topical gel has the potential to greatly improve quality of life for patients and treatment outcomes.”

Anti-EGFR therapies, such as cetuximab and panitumumab, are essential for treating many cancers, including colorectal cancer, as per the article. However, they often cause an acneiform rash, reducing quality of life and potentially leading to dose adjustments or treatment discontinuation.

LUT014, developed by Lutris Pharma, works by reactivating MAPK, a key skin signaling pathway inhibited by anti-EGFR therapies. The BRAF inhibitor gel, applied to affected areas, restores skin function, reduces inflammation and improves symptoms without compromising cancer treatment.

BRAF inhibitors are substances that blocks BRAF, a kinase enzyme controlling cell growth and signaling. Mutated BRAF may be found in some cancers, including melanoma and colorectal cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Blocking it may help prevent cancer cell growth.

Furthermore, the EGFR gene produces a protein involved in cell growth and survival. Mutated forms of this gene and protein are found in some cancers. These mutations may drive cancer cell growth and spread. Testing for EGFR gene changes in tumor tissue can guide treatment, including anti-EGFR therapies.

Methods of the Trial and More

The phase 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study enrolled 118 patients with colorectal cancer who developed moderate to severe rashes while taking cetuximab or panitumumab, two common anti-EGFR treatments.

Conducted across 23 medical centers, the study randomly assigned patients to one of three groups: a low-dose gel group, a higher-dose gel group or a placebo gel group with no active drug. Participants applied the gel once daily for 28 days.

The primary goal was to assess rash improvement, either through a one-level reduction in severity or improved skin-related quality-of-life scores.

“Until now, patients were simply told that the rash was an unavoidable side effect of these treatments, something they had to endure for the sake of fighting their cancer,” Dr. Antoni Ribas, professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine and director of the tumor immunology program at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a study co-author, said in the article. “But the data is overwhelmingly positive, and this approach not only improves patients' quality of life but also makes the cancer treatment more manageable.”

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