AACR

AACR 2025: Topical gel eases painful rash from targeted cancer therapy

May 1, 2025

Researchers from UCLA Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center presented findings at the recent American Association for Cancer Research 2025 Annual Meeting showing that Lutris Pharma’s LUT014, a novel topical BRAF inhibitor gel, significantly reduced the severity of acneiform rash caused by anti-EGFR cancer therapies. This rash, a common side effect of treatments like cetuximab and panitumumab, often leads to dose reductions or discontinuation of therapy. The phase 2 trial enrolled 118 patients with colorectal cancer, and showed that LUT014 gel improved rash severity and quality of life without interfering with cancer treatment. Nearly 70% of patients using the higher-dose gel saw marked improvements compared with one-third of those using a placebo. Researchers said the breakthrough offers the first effective pharmacological approach in two decades for managing this debilitating side effect, potentially allowing patients to continue their cancer treatment uninterrupted.

Sources:

A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized phase 2 clinical trial to assess the efficacy of a topical BRAF inhibitor for acneiform rash toxicities from anti-EGFR therapies. Presented at American Association for Cancer Research 2025 Annual Meeting. https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/20273/presentation/10421

(2025, April 28). Lutris. Lutris Pharma Presents New Data from Its Completed Clinical Trial of LUT014 Gel Demonstrating Efficacy in Treating Acneiform Rash Associated with Use of Anti-EGFR Cancer Therapies at AACR Annual Meeting 2025. [News release]. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lutris-pharma-presents-new-data-from-its-completed-clinical-trial-of-lut014-gel-demonstrating-efficacy-in-treating-acneiform-rash-associated-with-use-of-anti-egfr-cancer-therapies-at-aacr-annual-meeting-2025-302438993.html

(2025, April 27). UCLA Health. AACR: Topical treatment offers relief from painful skin rash caused by targeted cancer therapy. [News release]. https://www.uclahealth.org/news/release/aacr-topical-treatment-offers-relief-painful-skin-rash