Red light emitting diode as an adjuvant treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors-induced paronychia

Abstract

We evaluated the efficacy and safety of red light LED as an adjuvant treatment for epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor-induced paronychia. Eight patients were recruited in this randomized, single-blinded controlled trial. They were randomized to receive red-light on one hand or foot 2–3 times/week for 6 weeks while the contralateral side served as controls. The standard treatments were continued. Erythema and lesion elevation observed by Anthera^® 3D, severity and pain scores were obtained at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. The red light group showed significantly lower erythema, severity, and pain scores at weeks 4, 6, and 8. The elevation was significantly lower in the red light group at every follow-up visit. No adverse events occurred. Red light therapy may be an option as adjunctive treatment for EGFRi-induced paronychia.

Keywords:

• Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors
• EGFRi
• red light
• LED
• paronychia
• treatment

Acknowledgements

The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand (IRB no. 176/62). The trial was registered with Thai Clinical Trials Registry, number TCTR20200413002. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant prior to enrollment. The authors thank the Skin and Allergy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University for their support.

Disclosure statement

Authors declare no conflicts of interest for this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work is supported by Ratchadapisek Somphot Endowment Fund, RA61/079, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.