Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibition for Keratinopathies

Overview

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling plays a key role in regulating epidermal cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation. Keratins form a scaffold with epidermal desmosomes that involves ErbB/ EGFR signaling and keratin deficiency makes keratinocytes more sensitive to EGFR activation. Erlotinib, an EGFR inhibitor, was approved 20 years ago for cancer treatment and is generally used at 150 mg daily in adults \>50 kg. While gastrointestinal and cutaneous side effects commonly occur at doses of 150 mg, adverse events occur less often at lower doses. We first reported erlotinib as effective for Olmsted syndrome, a rare hereditary EDD with painful PPK that results from variants in TRPV3. Erlotinib is now the treatment of choice for children and adults with Olmsted syndrome. Erlotinib is thought to inhibit formation of a complex that includes TRPV3, EGFR, and its primary skin-based ligand, TGF-a, which in turn regulates keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. High-throughput screening to identify compounds that stabilize keratin filaments have also pointed to the EGFR pathway for targeting. Reviews and recent case reports have suggested the benefit of erlotinib for PC, Given these preliminary data, we hypothesize that EGFR activation is a characteristic feature of keratinopathies. Further, we expect that oral low-dose erlotinib will improve the scaling and skin thickening of the spectrum of keratinopathies and be tolerated by most patients. For those who experience pain, particularly from plantar involvement, we predict that erlotinib therapy will improve mobility and pain. Finally, we aim to find the mechanism by which erlotinib improves the phenotypes of the various keratinopathies to better understand these disorders and predict response. We will look specifically at the impact on differentiation vs. hyperproliferation and barrier function, as well as the immune modulatory effects of the erlotinib using a multi-omics approach.

We will conduct the first interventional multi-site Phase 1/2a trial of low-dose erlotinib to test its safety and efficacy as systemic treatment of moderate-to-severe keratinopathies. The trial will have three parts: During Part A, the natural history of keratinopathies and baseline for scores will be determined through at least 8 weeks of observation. We will use the mean of scores for our baseline, rather than a static measure at baseline to account for potential variability without the intervention. Part B will be the dose escalation component, in which the subject will initiate 50 mg erlotinib,8 wks later escalate to 75 mg, and then 8 wks later to 100 mg erlotinib pending tolerance after each 8-week period. During this 24-week period, we will be assessing safety (Phase 1) in comparison to the 8-week baseline observation period (own control) and at ease dosing level. We will also evaluate efficacy based on dosing (Phase 2a) to achieve preliminary data to guide future trials if the use of erlotinib is a "go" based on safety. Part C is the open-label extension period. Each participant will decide on the continued dosing for the subsequent 6 months in shared decision making with the investigator based on tolerance and effect. In total, the study involves 1 year on the erlotinib treatment, although the primary endpoint is 6 months after initiation. The additional 6 months will allow for further observation for potential toxicity and possible improved effect after additional time on drug. Participants will be eligible to participate in the open-label treatment period only if they have maintained \>70% compliance with completion of studies during the initial 6 months.