Pharmaceutical Business review

Cyclacel’s Xclair found to be effective against radiation dermatitis

Approximately 40 women who received radiotherapy following conservative breast cancer surgery were randomized to receive either Xclair cream (22 patients), or a cream containing a control vehicle (18 patients). They received Xclair during their radiation therapy and for three weeks after completion of radiation.

Patients treated with Xclair demonstrated a statistically significant improvement compared to controls in maximum severity of skin toxicity (p < 0.0001), burning within the radiation field (p = 0.039) and desquamation or shedding of outer skin layers (p = 0.02). No adverse events were observed or reported and none of the patients on the Xclair arm were required to stop radiotherapy as a consequence of the effects of their radiation dermatitis. The study authors concluded that Xclair cream is an effective treatment regimen for the prevention of radiation-induced skin reactions and promotion of symptomatic relief.