Using timolol to treat nail infections caused by lung cancer medications

Efficacy and Safety of Add-on Topical Timolol in the Management of Epidermal Growth Factor and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-induced Paronychia: a Prospective Randomized Open-labelled Trial

PHASE3 · Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong · NCT06643416

This study is testing if using timolol eye drops along with a cream can help people with advanced lung cancer who have nail infections caused by their treatment feel better.

Quick facts

PhasePHASE3
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorQueen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong (other)
Drugs / interventionsamivantamab, gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, osimertinib, dacomitinib, mobocertinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib, lorlatinib
Locations1 site (Hong Kong)
Trial IDNCT06643416 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness and safety of adding topical timolol 0.5% eye drops to betamethasone valerate 0.1% cream for treating paronychia, a common side effect in patients receiving EGFR-TKI and ALK-TKI therapies for non-small cell lung cancer. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who experience paronychia as an adverse event from their treatment. Participants will receive the combination treatment to assess improvements in their condition compared to standard care.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older with advanced non-small cell lung cancer who are experiencing paronychia as a side effect of EGFR-TKI or ALK-TKI treatments.

Not a fit: Patients who are allergic to topical timolol or those who are not diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this treatment could significantly alleviate the painful symptoms of paronychia in lung cancer patients undergoing targeted therapies.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited data on the specific use of timolol for paronychia, similar approaches using topical treatments for managing side effects in cancer therapies have shown promise.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria

1. Aged 18 years or above, either males or females.
2. Received EGFR-TKI and ALK-TKI, namely gefitinib, erlotinib, afatinib, osimertinib, amivantamab, dacomitinib, mobocertinib, crizotinib, ceritinib, alectinib, brigatinib and lorlatinib for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.
3. Paronychia (fingernails, toenails, or both) as an adverse event from EGFR-TKI use
4. Written informed consent obtained from patient
5. Subjects are diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Exclusion criteria

1. 1\. Age below18
2. 2\. Patients who are allergic to, or contraindicated to topical timolol use
3. 3\. Pregnant women or nursing mother
4. 4\. Non-consenting patients
5. 5\. Subjects are not diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Where this trial is running

Hong Kong

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Paronychia, EGFR-TKI, ALK-TKI, EGFR TKI, paronychia, timolol

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.