A UMH spin-off "successfully" tests a cream for radiation discomfort in cancer patients

ALICANTE, 11 May. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The company Prospera Biotech, from the Science Park of the Miguel Hernández University (PCUMH) in Elche (Alicante), has "successfully" completed a pilot study to test a cream that seeks to reduce sensory discomfort associated with radiotherapy treatments. After testing the formulation, 100% of cancer patients have claimed to "feel relief".

The study has been carried out at the University Hospital of Elche with voluntary patients, with the aim of reducing discomfort derived from radiation, such as burning, itching, hypersensitivity and pain, as indicated by the academic institution in a statement.

The formula, called PB07, derives from the already marketed Oncapsisens cream, which combines various ingredients to reinforce the barrier function of the epidermis through an active ingredient that acts by neuromodulation. This mechanism consists of modulating the response of the nerve terminals in the skin responsible for pain and itching to control adverse effects.

The executive director of Prospera Biotech, Marta García Escolano, has pointed out that radiotherapy is an "essential component" of cancer treatment and almost 50 percent of patients with this disease receive this therapy at some point.

Along these lines, he pointed out that up to 95% of irradiated patients may experience some type of radiation dermatitis (radiodermatitis), which has a "negative impact on their quality of life and emotional state and may compromise their adherence to treatment".

This is because, as the treatment progresses, a burn occurs in the irradiated area, with annoying sensory symptoms such as stinging, pain, itching, and thermal and mechanical hypersensitivity. "Finding relief for these discomforts is an important step in coping with antitumor treatment," García Escolano stated.

"The results obtained pave the way for us to conduct a larger, blinded, randomized, multicenter, two-arm clinical study to compare the use of this topical formulation with a control group using only a moisturizing skin care cream. In this way, we will be able to validate its effectiveness," he emphasized.

The pilot study was carried out among a group of voluntary patients diagnosed with breast cancer who were going to receive radiotherapy treatment. The volunteers applied the formulation to the irradiated area twice a day, from the beginning of their treatment until one month after finishing it.

The academic institution has highlighted that 100% of the patients who completed the study assured that they had felt relief from the uncomfortable sensations with the application of the cream and none reported adverse effects. In addition, 87% of the volunteers indicated that their dermatological quality of life improved and 80% indicated that they were "very satisfied" with the condition of the radiation-affected skin areas.

Along these lines, the person in charge of the Radiooncology Service of the Hospital General Universitario de Elche during the study, Carlos Ortega, highlighted that the results "show that the cream is safe and has no adverse effects" in the care of the area of ​​the skin. radiation-affected skin.