Study Finds Blood Biomarkers for Predicting EGFRI Skin Rash Severity
A recent study published in Oncotarget has revealed a potential link between certain microRNAs (miRNAs) in the blood and the severity of skin rash, a common side effect of epidermal growth factor inhibitor (EGFRI) treatment. The research, led by Hang Zhang and colleagues, suggests that miR-21, miR-31, and miR-520e could serve as biomarkers for predicting and monitoring this skin toxicity.
Dr. Julia Carolin Stingl from The University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen explained that EGFRI is widely used to treat various skin cancer types. However, around 70% of patients undergoing this treatment experience skin rash, often manifesting as a rash. The study aimed to better understand this side effect and find predictive biomarkers.
The authors investigated the expression of several miRNAs in serum samples from patients treated with EGFRIs. They found a correlation between the overall survival of patients and the appearance of a skin rash, which they proposed as a biomarker for therapy efficacy. Specifically, miR-21 and miR-520e serum concentrations were negatively correlated with skin rash severity, while miR-31 showed a positive correlation. This means that higher levels of miR-21 and miR-520e, and lower levels of miR-31, were associated with less severe skin rash. The study also explored other potential biomarkers, such as EGFRI ligands like epiregulin, amphiregulin, and hepatocyte growth factor, but found the miRNAs to be more promising.
The Oncotarget study, titled 'Association between miRNA signatures in serum samples from epidermal growth factor inhibitor treated patients and skin toxicity', highlights the potential of miR-21, miR-31, and miR-520e as predictive biomarkers for EGFRI-induced skin rash. While the study has limitations, such as the lack of pre-treatment serum samples, it offers a promising avenue for improving the management of this common side effect. Further research is needed to validate these findings and explore the potential of these miRNAs as therapeutic targets.
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