Alzahrani AM, Alzahrani AA, Alsharm AA. The Use of
Ziziphus spina-christi Extract in Treating Erlotinib (Tarceva®) Associated Rash: A Case Report.
Case Rep Oncol 2020;
12:909-912. [PMID:
31911777 DOI:
10.1159/000504696]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common side effect for cancer patients using epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRI) is the development of an itchy papulopustular rash. In severe cases, the patients are forced to stop taking the medications, hence affecting treatment outcomes. We herein report a case of a 50-year-old patient who developed a papulopustular rash after starting erlotinib. He treated himself with Ziziphus spina-christi leaves which is a plant well known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties in the middle east. We hypothesize that the anti-inflammatory, soothing, and antibacterial activity of the Ziziphus tree might actually represent a possible better treatment of the rash than available treatments, particularly in patients on EGFR blockers, and hence improve treatment outcomes.
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