Clinical evidence of prevention strategies for capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome

Anticancer therapy-induced adverse drug reactions in children and preventive and control measures

In recent years, considerable achievements have been made in pediatric oncology with the innovation and development of antitumor drugs. However, compared to adults, children as a special group have not yet matured fully in terms of liver and kidney function. Moreover, pediatric patients are prone to more adverse drug reactions (ADRs) from the accumulation of antineoplastic drugs due to their smaller body size and larger body surface area. Chemotherapy-related ADRs have become a non-negligible factor that affects cancer remission. To date, studies on ADRs in pediatric cancer patients have emerged internationally, but few systematic summaries are available. Here, we reviewed the various systemic ADRs associated with antitumor drugs in children and adolescent patients, as well as the advances in strategies to cope with ADRs, which consisted of neurotoxicity, hematological toxicity, cardiotoxicity, ADRs of the respiratory system and gastrointestinal system and urinary system, ADRs of the skin and its adnexa, allergic reactions, and other ADRs. For clinicians and researchers, understanding the causes, symptoms, and coping strategies for ADRs caused by anticancer treatments will undoubtedly benefit more children.

Optimizing quality of life: integrating palliative care for patients with hand-foot syndrome in oncology practice

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) emerges as one of the common dermatological side effects associated with anticancer medications such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), capecitabine and docetaxel. This condition can be notably debilitating, exerting a predominant impact on the clinical, functional and psychosocial domains of health. With prevalence rates of HFS, ranging from 43% to 71%, there exists an unmet need among palliative care physicians to comprehend this syndrome in addressing physical, psychological dimensions and its integrated management within healthcare. This understanding enables them to adopt diverse approaches aimed at preserving the quality of life for patients, by enhancing the overall healthcare experience. Our primary objective is to underscore the imperative for the high-quality integration of palliative care with respect to HFS in contemporary oncology practices. We aim to achieve this by providing evidence-based insights to enhance patient outcomes.The intent of this study: (1) The article delves into the range of symptoms linked to HFS, and stresses the necessity of a holistic strategy and the difference that a palliative physician can contribute during cancer treatment-in picking up certain intricate aspects of patient care and addressing them. (2) The article also highlights the comprehensive approach through the incorporation of quality-of-life assessments, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes, overall care experience within an integrated healthcare framework.

Topical interventions for preventing hand-foot syndrome resulting from antineoplastic therapy: A scoping review

OBJECTIVE

To map topical interventions used to prevent hand-foot syndrome in cancer patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy.

METHOD

This is a scoping review reported in accordance with the recommendations of PRISMA-ScR (extension for scoping review) and the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual. The searches were carried out in the electronic databases CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, EMBASE, LILACS, LIVIVO, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science; and gray literature (Google Scholar, Pro-Quest).

RESULTS

The searches resulted in 12,016 references and the final sample consisted of 45 studies. A total of 42 topical interventions were identified, including: moisturizing creams, corticosteroids, acids, mapisal, silymarin, and henna. However, urea was the most cited intervention (62%). As for the presentations of the interventions, they varied among creams, ointments, gels, hydrocolloids, decoctions, patches, powders, oils, and soaps.

CONCLUSION

The results allowed reviewing topical interventions, with emphasis on the use of urea and moisturizing creams. However, most of the interventions identified in this review require evaluation in future studies for better understanding of their benefits.

Pharmaceutical and clinical studies of celecoxib topical hydrogel for management of chemotherapy-induced hand-foot syndrome

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) can be categorized as a frequent dose-limiting side effect following administration of chemotherapeutic agents, which needs an effective medication to avoid dose reduction or discontinuation. Oral celecoxib has been proved to be the best pharmacological intervention to ameliorate the skin lesions. However, due to reported gastrointestinal and cardiovascular toxicity following its long-term administration, celecoxib topical application would be a safe alternative for skin disorders. In this work, first, we formulated and optimized a topical hydrogel of celecoxib (1%) and then we investigated its efficacy in the management of chemotherapy-induced HFS in cancer patients. Optimized hydrogel showed acceptable results for drug content, pH, rheology, and stability. Analyzing in vitro drug release study by various mathematical models, the optimized hydrogel showed a zero-order release pattern with 93.27 ± 1.56% cumulative celecoxib release within 8 h. Ex vivo permeation studies across Wistar rat skin indicated suitable skin retention of celecoxib for topical delivery. Twenty-nine patients suffering from HFS were randomized to receive celecoxib and the placebo hydrogels 2 times a day for 3 weeks. At the baseline and at the end of the trial, HFS grades were determined. No serious adverse events occurred in patients who completely followed the instructions. No statistically significant differences between two arms were observed at the baseline (p value = 0.38). By contrast, Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed significant differences when secondary grades (p value = 0.05) and grade differences (p values < 0.001) were analyzed. Overall, the study proved that celecoxib hydrogel could be a promising intervention to manage HFS side effect.

Chemotherapy-induced hand foot syndrome: comparative efficacy and safety of pharmacological prophylaxis - systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is one of the most common toxicities experienced by patients receiving systemic chemotherapy agents such as capecitabine and multikinase inhibitors such as sorafenib. Several randomised controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the efficacy and safety of prophylactic agents such as pyridoxine, celecoxib, urea cream and cystine/theanine in managing HFS. This network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated data from high-quality trials to provide strong evidence in forming recommendations to prevent systemic cancer therapy-induced HFS.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the comparative efficacy and safety of interventions for preventing systemic chemotherapy-induced HFS in patients with cancer.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase and clinical trial registry for RCTs of interventions for preventing HFS. Bayesian NMA was performed to estimate the OR with 95% credible intervals (CrI) from both direct and indirect evidence. The outcome measures were the incidence of HFS (grade ≥1) and moderate to severe HFS (grade ≥2). Adverse drug reactions were discussed descriptively.

RESULTS

A total of 15 RCTs with 2715 patients with 12 prophylactic strategies were included. The analysis showed only celecoxib could significantly prevent the incidence of moderate to severe HFS (grade ≥2) (OR 0.29, 95% CrI 0.13 to 0.68). But none of the preventive interventions could prevent the incidence of HFS (grade ≥1).

CONCLUSION

Only celecoxib (200 mg two times per day) showed significant prevention of the incidence of moderate to severe HFS. Pyridoxine (400 mg once daily) and urea cream (10%) have to be evaluated further in larger randomised trials.

Hand-Foot Syndrome Presentation Post-Capecitabine Treatment in a Black Patient

Palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia, commonly known as hand-foot syndrome (HFS), is a side-effect of cancer chemotherapeutic agents such as capecitabine. Patients with HFS oftentimes present with palmoplantar numbness, tingling, burning pain, and/or hyperpigmentation; in advanced grades, blistering and ulceration may occur. In this article, we present the case of a Black patient with grade 1 HFS post-capecitabine treatment for metastasized breast cancer. Prompt recognition for atypical HFS symptom presentation in people of color and discontinuation of capecitabine with supportive treatment can prevent progression to grade 2+ HFS that limits activities of daily living (ADLs).

Effect of Urea Cream on Hand-Foot Syndrome in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a specific adverse effect of certain chemotherapy that may lead to dosage reduction or chemotherapy discontinuation in patients with cancer. Topical urea cream may reduce symptom severity in patients with HFS. However, these studies have not provided consonant results.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effectiveness of urea cream, we conducted a meta-analysis of clinical trials to evaluate the prevention and treatment of HFS.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published before September 2020. The study registered at PROSPERO (CRD 42020203164). Incidence of HFS reported in studies at any grade and at second grade or greater was assessed within 3 to 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes were time to HFS, incidence of skin-related adverse events, chemotherapy dose reduction, and quality of life.

RESULTS

Seven trials involving 1387 patients were reviewed. In the prophylactic subgroup, patients with urea cream intervention showed a significantly lower incidence of HFS at second grade or greater (risk ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-0.90) and a nonsignificant lower incidence of any-grade HFS (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-1.08) than those not receiving urea cream intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

Urea cream has advantages to reduce the incidence of severe HFS.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Urea cream is a safe and viable topical prevention strategy that can reduce the incidence of high-grade HFS in patients undergoing chemotherapy. We recommend a routine treatment option before chemotherapy for the patients.

SNPs in the COX-2/PGES/EP signaling pathway are associated with risk of severe capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome

PURPOSE

Capecitabine is a widely used 5-fluorouracil oral prodrug. Hand-foot syndrome (HFS), one of the most common adverse events of capecitabine, impacts patients' quality of life seriously. The pathogenesis of HFS remains unclear but was usually considered as a type of inflammation conducted by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). The COX-2/PGES/EP signaling pathway plays an important role in the inflammatory reaction. We hypothesized that the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this pathway may be associated with the risk of HFS induced by capecitabine.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Using DNA from blood samples of 225 patients, we genotyped 19 SNPs in 6 core genes (COX-2, PGES, EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 3.0 was used to grade hand-foot syndrome. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate the correlations between genotype variants and occurrence of HFS. The cumulative incidence of HFS was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

Among the 225 participants, 58.6% (132/225) patients developed into HFS, including 41.3% (93/225) grade 1 HFS, 10.2% (23/225) grade 2 HFS and 7.1% (16/225) grade 3 HFS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the AG/GG genotype of rs3810255 to be associated with a significantly higher risk of grade 2/3 HFS, while the AG/AA genotype of rs17131450 to be associated with a significantly lower risk of grade 2/3 HFS (OR = 3.646, P = 0.011; and OR = 0.266, P = 0.036; respectively).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that rs3810255 AG/GG genotypes and rs17131450 GG genotypes to be associated with high risk of capecitabine-induced HFS.

Management of dermatologic adverse events from cancer therapies: recommendations of an expert panel

With the development of new cancer therapies, systemic toxicity profile and effects on survival achieved an important improvement. However, a constellation of toxicities has emerged, even more remarkably, cutaneous adverse events. This report, developed by a board of Brazilian experts in oncodermatology, aims to establish a guideline for the dermatological care of oncologic patients. When possible, evidence-based recommendations were made, but in many cases, when strong evidence was not available, a consensus was reached, based on some data supporting therapies combined with personal experiences.

Loss of Fingerprints as a Side Effect of Capecitabine Therapy: Case Report and Literature Review

Hand–foot syndrome (HFS) is the main side effect of capecitabine and affects the compression zones of the body such as the palms and soles, causing numbness, paresthesias, skin swelling or erythema, scaling, chapping, hard nodule-like blisters, and severe pain. Loss of fingerprints is also observed in some cases. Severe cases of HFS are common in the review of clinical reports. However, loss of fingerprints has not received significant attention. Two reported cases of loss of fingerprints in The New England Journal of Medicine and The BMJ have drawn attention to this side effect of capecitabine. Loss of fingerprints has a serious impact on patients’ daily life, especially on personal identification. This report describes a patient who lost her fingerprints during the early stage of chemotherapy. Our aim is to draw the medical profession’s attention to this problem.

Effect of Chinese Herbal Compound LC09 on Patients With Capecitabine-Associated Hand-Foot Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Parallel-Controlled Trial

Background: LC09 is composed with 5 kinds of traditional Chinese herbal medicines (Astragalus membranaceus, flowers carthami, lithospermum, geranium wilfordii, and radix angelicae) which are used in China and developed over several thousand years. Aim: To assess the effectiveness and safety of herbal compound LC09 on patients with capecitabine-associated hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Materials and Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, and parallel-controlled study, 156 patients that diagnosed with HFS were randomly assigned to a treatment group (n = 78) or control group (n = 78). Patients were evaluated every week by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grade and Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) pain scores. The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scale and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) scale were used to assess the quality of life before the treatment, and at 1 week and after the treatment of 2 cycles. Results: At the baseline, no significant differences were observed between the 2 groups. After treatment, significant differences in NCI grade and NRS pain scores were observed between the 2 groups (P < .01). In addition, HFS effectiveness rate and pain alleviation rate were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P < .01). Furthermore, the chemotherapy completion rate between 2 groups was significantly different (P = .002). In addition, no adverse reactions were observed in either LC09 or control group. Conclusion: LC09 can decrease NCI grade and significantly alleviate pain in HFS patients. Besides, it can also increase chemotherapy completion rate.

Dermatologic conditions in women receiving systemic cancer therapy

As advances in cancer therapies have improved cancer-related survival, novel therapeutics have also introduced a variety of dermatologic toxicities, and an increased number of patients are living with these sequalae. Women with cancer in particular experience a spectrum of dermatologic conditions that affect their skin, hair, nail, and mucosal surfaces. Studies have shown that these toxic effects can significantly affect quality of life and alter a woman's self-image, cultural identity, femininity, sexuality, and mental health. In severe instances, dermatologic toxicities may even disrupt cancer therapy and can therefore affect overall survival and treatment response. In this article, we review the dermatologic adverse effects from traditional chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors, and endocrine therapy that disproportionately affect women. The timely diagnosis and management of these dermatologic conditions is crucial in the multidisciplinary care of women with cancer.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of S-1 and capecitabine in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of S-1 and capecitabine in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

METHODS

Eligible prospective clinical trials were searched and available data were extracted. Odds ratio and hazard ratio of available outcomes including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were pooled for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 6 studies including 828 patients were included. The results of pooled analysis showed no statistical difference in short-term efficacy including ORR (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.68-1.19; P = .48) or DCR (95% CI: 0.65-1.29; P = .61), or long-term efficacy including PFS (95% CI: 0.75-1.08; P = .26) or OS (95% CI: 0.78-1.13; P = .50). Symptoms of diarrhea at any grade were more prevalent (95% CI: 1.21-2.29; P = .002) in patients treated with S-1, while hand-foot syndrome (HFS) at any grade (95% CI: 0.24-0.48; P < .0001) or high grade (95% CI: 0.09-0.48; P < .0001) was more frequent in capecitabine group. AEs including leucopenia, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, vomiting, oral mucositis, stomatitis, elevated alanine transaminase, or peripheral neuropathy showed no statistical difference between S-1 and capecitabine group (all P > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis reveals that S-1 has comparable efficacy, lower risk of HFS and higher incidence of diarrhea compared to capecitabine for treatment in patients with mCRC.

Efficacy and safety assessment of S-1-based regimens comparing to intravenous fluorouracil-based ones in Asian patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma: A system review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

We performed the present systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety for S-1-based regimens comparing to intravenous fluorouracil-based ones in Asian patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC).

METHODS

Eligible prospective and controlled randomized clinical trials (RCT) were included, of which data were extracted by inclusion criteria and exclusion ones. Odds ratio (OR) and Hazard ratio (HR) of outcomes including objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progressive-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AEs) were explored for the final analysis between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

A total of 23 eligible prospective, controlled RCTs including 2269 patients were enrolled for the pooled analysis. With the meta-analysis of available data, the results of the present research showed that there was no statistical difference on short-term efficacy including ORR (HR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.71-1.01; P = .07) or DCR (HR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.69-1.11; P = .27), as well as long-term efficacy including PFS (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.90-1.11; P = .98) or OS (HR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.82-1.10; P = .50). In addition, the incidences of AEs including leucopenia, neutropenia, and vomiting were statistically lower in S-1-based regimens comparing to intravenous fluorouracil-based ones, regardless of all grade or high grade (all P <.05). However, there were no significant differences detected among other AEs including anemia, thrombocytopenia, increased alanine aminotransferase concentration, stomatitis, anorexia, diarrhea, hand-foot syndrome (HFS), or sensory neuropathy among the 2 groups (all P >.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The present meta-analysis revealed that S-1-based regimens might be associated with comparable efficacy, as well as lower risk of leucopenia, neutropenia, and vomiting at all/high grade comparing to intravenous fluorouracil-based ones in Asian patients with mCRC.