Metastatic Solid TumorPhase 2FACENCT06358677
Topical Tretinoin Prophylaxis for Anti-EGFR Induced Skin Toxicity in Patients With Solid Tumors
A Phase 2 study testing Topical Tretinoin in people with Metastatic Solid Tumor and Locally Advanced Solid Tumor, run by University of Utah at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using topical tretinoin will help patients with solid tumors who are experiencing an acneiform rash as a side effect of their treatment. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Metastatic Solid Tumor, Locally Advanced Solid Tumor
- What is being tested?
- Topical Tretinoin
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 25 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 19 Feb 2025to Jul 2029
- Phase
- Phase 2
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Participant aged ≥ 18 years
- Histologically confirmed solid tumor.
- Radiologically confirmed locally advanced or metastatic disease.
- Eligible for and willing to receive treatment with panitumumab or cetuximab as standard-of-care.
- ECOG Performance Status ≤ 2.
- Adequate organ function as defined as:
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- --Hepatic:
- Total Bilirubin ≤ 1.5x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN)
- AST(SGOT)/ALT(SGPT) ≤ 3 × institutional ULN ----Participants with liver metastases will be allowed to enroll with AST and ALT levels ≤ 5 x ULN.
- Negative pregnancy test for participants who have not undergone surgical sterilization or shown evidence of post-menopausal status. The following age-specific requirements apply:
- --< 50 years of age:
- Amenorrheic for ≥ 12 months following cessation of exogenous hormonal treatments; and
- Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels in the post-menopausal range for the institution; or
- Underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy or hysterectomy).
- --≥ 50 years of age:
- Amenorrheic for 12 months or more following cessation of all exogenous hormonal treatments; or
- Had radiation-induced menopause with last menses >1 year ago; or
- Had chemotherapy-induced menopause with last menses >1 year ago; or
- Underwent surgical sterilization (bilateral oophorectomy, bilateral salpingectomy, or hysterectomy).
- Participants of childbearing potential and participants with a sexual partner of childbearing potential must agree to use a highly effective method of contraception as described in Section 5.4.2.
- Must have recovered from adverse effects of any prior oncologic treatment (e.g. prior surgery, radiotherapy, or other antineoplastic therapy). CTCAE adverse events less than or equal to grade 1 are acceptable. CTCAE adverse events grade 2 or greater may be acceptable as determined by an investigator with appropriate documentation.
- Able to provide informed consent and willing to sign an approved consent form that conforms to federal and institutional guidelines.
Who cannot join
- Treatment with an anti-EGFR agent within 90 days of registration.
- Pre-existing facial rash that per the treating investigator would preclude the ability to assess response to topical tretinoin.
- The diagnosis of another malignancy within ≤ 2 years before study enrollment, except for those considered to be adequately treated with no evidence of disease or symptoms and/or will not require therapy during the study duration (i.e., basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, carcinoma in situ of the breast, bladder or of the cervix, or low-grade prostate cancer with Gleason Score ≤ 6).
- Any other condition that would, in the Investigator's judgment, contraindicate the participant's participation in the clinical study due to safety concerns or compliance with clinical study procedures.
- Systemic active infection including tuberculosis (clinical evaluation that includes clinical history, physical examination, radiographic findings, and TB testing in line with local practice), hepatitis B (known positive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) result), or hepatitis C.
- --Note: Participants with a past or resolved HBV infection (defined as the presence of hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc] and absence of HBsAg) are eligible. Participants positive for hepatitis C (HCV) antibody are eligible only if polymerase chain reaction is negative for HCV RNA.
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- Medical, psychiatric, cognitive, or other conditions that may compromise the participant's ability to understand the participant information, give informed consent, comply with the study protocol or complete the study.
- Known prior severe hypersensitivity to investigational product or any component in its formulations (CTCAE v5.0 Grade ≥ 3).
- Participants taking prohibited medications as described in Section 6.8.2. A washout period of prohibited medications for a period of at least five half-lives or as clinically indicated should occur before the start of treatment.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Huntsman Cancer Institute at University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112
Susan Sharry, 801-585-3453, susan.sharry@hci.utah.edu
About this study
Official title: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face of Topical Tretinoin Prophylaxis for Anti-EGFR Induced Skin Toxicity in Patients With Solid Tumors
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if using topical tretinoin will help patients with solid tumors who are experiencing an acneiform rash as a side effect of their treatment.
Researchers will compare the use of tretinoin on one side of the face to the use of a placebo on the other side of the face to see if there is an impact.
Read the detailed description
The anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) agents cetuximab and panitumumab have been shown in numerous trials to be active in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Current American Society of Clinical Oncology guidelines strongly recommend offering an antiEGFR therapy in combination with chemotherapy to patients with treatment-naïve, left-sided, RAS wild-type mCRC. In addition to colorectal cancer, anti-EGFR agents are also approved for use in the management of head and neck, cutaneous squamous cell, and penile cancers. Novel prophylactic approaches are needed so that more patients can benefit from the survival advantage provided by these drugs without a sacrificing quality of life.
Tretinoin is a vitamin A derivative (all-trans retinoic acid) that has been used by dermatology for more than five decades and is currently approved for the management of moderate to severe acne vulgaris. Initially, tretinoin was recognized as a potential treatment for acne vulgaris based on its comedolytic properties. However, over the past decade tretinoin has been increasingly recognized for its immunomodulatory properties raising the potential for use in dermatologic disorders other than acne vulgaris.
Although the pathogenesis of anti-EGFR associated skin toxicity is still not entirely understood, the clinical presentation shares many similarities with acne vulgaris, and inflammation is felt to play a major role. For this reason, there is interest in the use of tretinoin in the management of anti-EGFR associated rash. Topical tretinoin is associated with minimal transdermal absorption thus making it a viable option for investigation into its use as a prophylactic agent for anti-EGFR associated rash.
This split-face study will utilize a topical moisturizer as a placebo applied to the opposite half of the face as the topical tretinoin. Eucerin, a topical emollient will be used as the placebo in this study. Eucerin is not associated with any significant adverse reactions.
This is a randomized, double-blind, split-face, phase II study of topical tretinoin prophylaxis for anti-EGFR treatment-induced skin toxicity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors. Patients will apply topical tretinoin to one half of the face and topical moisturizer (placebo) to the other half of the face daily, starting the day that anti-EGFR treatment is initiated. The sides of the face tretinoin and moisturizer are applied to will be randomized. Standardized photographs of the face will be obtained at screening and every two weeks from Week 1 Day 1 until after six weeks of treatment. Photographs will be graded by a dermatologist who will be blinded to treatment sidedness. Facial rash severity will be graded using a modified Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) score.
- Being tested
- Topical Tretinoin, Placebo
- Medical subject headings
- Neoplasm Metastasis
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Topical TretinoinDrug
Topical tretinoin will be applied to one half of the face, either left or right side. The side the topical tretinoin will be applied to will be randomized.
PlaceboOther
Also called Topical Moisturizer
A placebo (topical moisturizer) will be applied to the other half of the face, either left or right side. The side the topical tretinoin will be applied to will be randomized.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Tretinoin half of face (left) and Placebo/Moisturizer other half of the face (right) | Experimental | Randomized, double-blind, split-face. Randomization will determine which side of the face Tretinoin will be applied to (left or right). The other side of the face (left or right) will have placebo applied. All participants will receive both treatment and placebo. Receives: Drug: Topical Tretinoin |
| Tretinoin half of face (right) and Placebo/Moisturizer other half of the face (left) | Experimental | Randomized, double-blind, split-face. Randomization will determine which side of the face Tretinoin will be applied to (left or right). The other side of the face (left or right) will have placebo applied. All participants will receive both treatment and placebo. Receives: Other: Placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
The maximum difference in modified Investigators Global Assessment (IGA) score between the treated and untreated sides of the face at any assessment.
Effect of topical tretinoin on anti-EGFR induced acneiform rash. Rash will be scored from 0-4 with 0 being clear skin and 4 being a severe rash.
Measured: up to 6 weeks from the initiation of study therapy
Secondary outcomes (2)
Frequency of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) characterized by type, severity (as defined by the NIH CTCAE version 5.0 and the modified IGA), seriousness, duration, and relationship to study treatment.
Proportion of acneiform rash per CTCAE v5.0
Measured: up to 6 weeks from the initiation of study therapy
Proportion of acneiform rash per CTCAE v5.0
To assess the safety and tolerability of topical tretinoin in the study population.
This outcome measure will report the frequency of acneiform rash as defined by the NIH CTCAE, version 5.0.
Measured: up to 6 weeks from the initiation of study therapy
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted10 Apr 2024
- Study start19 Feb 2025
- Primary completionJul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completionJul 2029 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (20)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Metastatic Solid TumorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase 2
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- This is a randomized, double-blind, split-face, phase II study of topical tretinoin prophylaxis for anti-EGFR treatment-induced skin toxicity in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid tumors.
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 25 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Utah
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
- Investigators
- Christopher Nevala-Plagemann, MD, Principal investigator, Huntsman Cancer Institute
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06358677
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HCI171997
- Acronym
- FACE
- Status last verified
- Feb 2026
- First submitted
- 4 Apr 2024
- Last updated
- 13 Feb 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
- FDA-regulated drug
- Yes
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Publications
Van Cutsem E, Kohne CH, Lang I, Folprecht G, Nowacki MP, Cascinu S, Shchepotin I, Maurel J, Cunningham D, Tejpar S, Schlichting M, Zubel A, Celik I, Rougier P, Ciardiello F. Cetuximab plus irinotecan, fluorouracil, and leucovorin as first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer: updated analysis of overall survival according to tumor KRAS and BRAF mutation status. J Clin Oncol. 2011 May 20;29(15):2011-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2010.33.5091. Epub 2011 Apr 18.
PubMed 21502544Berlin J, Posey J, Tchekmedyian S, Hu E, Chan D, Malik I, Yang L, Amado RG, Hecht JR. Panitumumab with irinotecan/leucovorin/5-fluorouracil for first-line treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2007 Mar;6(6):427-32. doi: 10.3816/CCC.2007.n.011.
PubMed 17531105Kohne CH, Hofheinz R, Mineur L, Letocha H, Greil R, Thaler J, Fernebro E, Gamelin E, Decosta L, Karthaus M. First-line panitumumab plus irinotecan/5-fluorouracil/leucovorin treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2012 Jan;138(1):65-72. doi: 10.1007/s00432-011-1061-6. Epub 2011 Sep 30.
PubMed 21960318Watanabe J, Muro K, Shitara K, Yamazaki K, Shiozawa M, Ohori H, Takashima A, Yokota M, Makiyama A, Akazawa N, Ojima H, Yuasa Y, Miwa K, Yasui H, Oki E, Sato T, Naitoh T, Komatsu Y, Kato T, Hihara M, Soeda J, Misumi T, Yamamoto K, Akagi K, Ochiai A, Uetake H, Tsuchihara K, Yoshino T. Panitumumab vs Bevacizumab Added to Standard First-line Chemotherapy and Overall Survival Among Patients With RAS Wild-type, Left-Sided Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA. 2023 Apr 18;329(15):1271-1282. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.4428.
PubMed 37071094Nevala-Plagemann C, Iyengar S, Trunk AD, Pappas L, Haaland B, Garrido-Laguna I. Treatment Trends and Clinical Outcomes of Left-Sided RAS/RAF Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in the United States. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. 2022 Feb 4;20(3):268-275. doi: 10.6004/jnccn.2021.7079.
PubMed 35120306Ciliberto D, Staropoli N, Caglioti F, Chiellino S, Ierardi A, Ingargiola R, Botta C, Arbitrio M, Correale P, Tassone P, Tagliaferri P. The best strategy for RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer patients in first-line treatment: A classic and Bayesian meta-analysis. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2018 May;125:69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2018.03.003. Epub 2018 Mar 9.
PubMed 29650279Morris VK, Kennedy EB, Baxter NN, Benson AB 3rd, Cercek A, Cho M, Ciombor KK, Cremolini C, Davis A, Deming DA, Fakih MG, Gholami S, Hong TS, Jaiyesimi I, Klute K, Lieu C, Sanoff H, Strickler JH, White S, Willis JA, Eng C. Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: ASCO Guideline. J Clin Oncol. 2023 Jan 20;41(3):678-700. doi: 10.1200/JCO.22.01690. Epub 2022 Oct 17.
PubMed 36252154Lacouture ME, Anadkat M, Jatoi A, Garawin T, Bohac C, Mitchell E. Dermatologic Toxicity Occurring During Anti-EGFR Monoclonal Inhibitor Therapy in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Systematic Review. Clin Colorectal Cancer. 2018 Jun;17(2):85-96. doi: 10.1016/j.clcc.2017.12.004. Epub 2017 Dec 13.
PubMed 29576427Lacouture ME, Mitchell EP, Piperdi B, Pillai MV, Shearer H, Iannotti N, Xu F, Yassine M. Skin toxicity evaluation protocol with panitumumab (STEPP), a phase II, open-label, randomized trial evaluating the impact of a pre-Emptive Skin treatment regimen on skin toxicities and quality of life in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. J Clin Oncol. 2010 Mar 10;28(8):1351-7. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2008.21.7828. Epub 2010 Feb 8.
PubMed 20142600Zaenglein AL, Pathy AL, Schlosser BJ, Alikhan A, Baldwin HE, Berson DS, Bowe WP, Graber EM, Harper JC, Kang S, Keri JE, Leyden JJ, Reynolds RV, Silverberg NB, Stein Gold LF, Tollefson MM, Weiss JS, Dolan NC, Sagan AA, Stern M, Boyer KM, Bhushan R. Guidelines of care for the management of acne vulgaris. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016 May;74(5):945-73.e33. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2015.12.037. Epub 2016 Feb 17.
PubMed 26897386Baldwin HE, Nighland M, Kendall C, Mays DA, Grossman R, Newburger J. 40 years of topical tretinoin use in review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013 Jun 1;12(6):638-42.
PubMed 23839179Schmidt N, Gans EH. Tretinoin: A Review of Its Anti-inflammatory Properties in the Treatment of Acne. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2011 Nov;4(11):22-9.
PubMed 22125655Holcmann M, Sibilia M. Mechanisms underlying skin disorders induced by EGFR inhibitors. Mol Cell Oncol. 2015 Jun 1;2(4):e1004969. doi: 10.1080/23723556.2015.1004969. eCollection 2015 Oct-Dec.
PubMed 27308503Vezzoli P, Marzano AV, Onida F, Alessi E, Galassi B, Tomirotti M, Berti E. Cetuximab-induced acneiform eruption and the response to isotretinoin. Acta Derm Venereol. 2008;88(1):84-6. doi: 10.2340/00015555-0330. No abstract available.
PubMed 18176767Gutzmer R, Werfel T, Mao R, Kapp A, Elsner J. Successful treatment with oral isotretinoin of acneiform skin lesions associated with cetuximab therapy. Br J Dermatol. 2005 Oct;153(4):849-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06835.x. No abstract available.
PubMed 16181478