Wucao Anfu Formula as Adjunctive Treatment for Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Related Rash

Overview

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have improved outcomes for patients with cancer, but immune checkpoint inhibitor-related skin rash is a common adverse event that may affect quality of life and continuation of anticancer therapy. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wucao Anfu Formula as an adjunctive treatment for immune checkpoint inhibitor-related rash. In this randomized controlled clinical study, eligible patients with grade 1-2 immune checkpoint inhibitor-related rash will be randomly assigned to receive standard topical corticosteroid treatment with or without Wucao Anfu Formula. The study will assess improvement of skin rash severity, symptoms, quality of life, and safety outcomes. The results may provide clinical evidence for integrative management of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related skin adverse events.

mmune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become important treatments for various malignant tumors. However, immune-related adverse events, especially skin toxicities such as rash and dermatitis, occur frequently during ICI therapy and may negatively affect patients' quality of life and anticancer treatment adherence. Current management strategies mainly include skin care, antihistamines, and topical corticosteroids. Evidence regarding the role of traditional Chinese medicine-based external therapy as an adjunctive intervention remains limited. This study is a multicenter, randomized, parallel-controlled clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wucao Anfu Formula as an adjunctive treatment for ICI-related rash. A total of 72 eligible participants with grade 1-2 ICI-related inflammatory skin rash will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the intervention group or control group. Both groups will receive standardized skin care and topical corticosteroid treatment. Participants in the intervention group will additionally receive Wucao Anfu Formula external wet compress therapy twice daily for 14 days. The control group will receive standard topical corticosteroid treatment alone. The primary outcome is the overall improvement rate of ICI-related rash at day 14 after treatment. Secondary outcomes include changes in rash severity according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), rash-related clinical symptoms and signs, itching severity, skin dryness, dermatology-specific quality of life, performance status, rescue treatment use, and safety outcomes including adverse events and laboratory examinations. The study will provide clinical evidence regarding whether Wucao Anfu Formula can improve ICI-related rash while maintaining safety, and may contribute to the development of integrative approaches for managing immune-related adverse events during cancer immunotherapy.