Testing moisturising creams for skin reactions in cancer patients

A Phase II, Randomised Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Moisturising Creams with or Without Palm-oil-derived Vitamin E Concentrate in Addition to Urea-based Cream or Urea-based Cream Alone in Capecitabine-associated Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia (ECaPPE)

Not applicable Interventional Sarawak General Hospital · NCT05939726

This study is testing three different moisturizing creams to see which one helps cancer patients with skin reactions caused by their treatment feel better.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment90 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorSarawak General Hospital Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Kuching, Sarawak)
Trial IDNCT05939726 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the efficacy and safety of three different moisturising creams in patients undergoing capecitabine-based cancer therapy who develop palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE). Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a cream with palm-oil-derived vitamin E, a cream without vitamin E, or a urea-based cream alone. The study will assess the severity of PPE, symptoms, quality of life, and any adverse events over a treatment period of nine to eighteen weeks. Both patients and investigators will be blinded to the cream assignments to ensure unbiased results.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who are receiving capecitabine therapy and have developed grade 1 PPE.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of allergy to vitamin E or its components, or those with other dermatological conditions that could interfere with the study, may not benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide effective relief from skin reactions associated with cancer treatment, improving patients' quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While similar approaches have been explored, this specific combination of treatments in the context of capecitabine-induced PPE is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. 18 years old and above
2. Able to give written consent freely
3. Receiving capecitabine at 2000-2500mg/m2/day or 1000-1250/m2/dose twice a day, at least 1 dose, as monotherapy or in combination therapy
4. Receiving urea-based cream
5. Developed PPE of NCI-CTCAE grade 1
6. Have at least three cycles of chemotherapy to complete
7. Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
8. ECOG≤2

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Unable to understand the information sheet and informed consent form
2. Allergy history towards vitamin E and its isoforms or any components of the investigational products
3. Unable to tolerate urea-based products
4. Other pre-existing dermatological diseases or conditions that may interfere the evaluation of PPE
5. PPE complicated with infection
6. Receiving other agent(s) that are known to cause PPE or hand- foot syndrome and hand-foot skin reactions
7. Receiving long-term topical or systemic steroid treatment (except as part of pre-or post-medications of chemotherapy regime)
8. Pregnant or lactating mother
9. Participating in another interventional trial
10. Refuses to interrupt his/her usual care
11. Anticipated inability to follow-up

Where this trial is running

Kuching, Sarawak

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Palmar-Plantar ErythrodysesthesiaPalmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia Due to Cytotoxic TherapyCytotoxic therapyCapecitabineVitamin ETocotrienolTocopherolTopical applications
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.