A Phase 2 interventional study of Tetracycline in Skin Rash and Lung Cancer, sponsored by Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia de Mexico. Completed at 1 site in Mexico. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2025-05-11.
Sponsored by Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia de Mexico · Phase 2, Interventional, and Treatment
Case reports have tried to demonstrate the benefit in the treatment of rash obtained with: alcohol-free emollients used 2-3 times daily, sunscreen with titanium dioxide or zinc oxide with a skin protection factor (SPF) greater than 15, topic or oral antibiotic regimens (such as clindamycin, metronidazole, tetracyclines) when there is secondary infection as well as steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (betamethasone, triamcinolone) and isotretinoin.
The objective of this project is to evaluate whether the prophylactic treatment with tetracycline can reduce dermatological toxicities such as rash, induced by the EGFR and HER-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor BIBW 2992 in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.
68 studies on the registry are indexed under Exanthema; 11 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 107 is above the median of 60 across 45 interventional studies indexed under Exanthema.
Browse Exanthema studies →Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia de Mexico is the lead sponsor of 41 studies on the registry; 13 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Diagnosis of non-operable, locally advanced, recurrent or , or cytologically documented non-small cell lung cancer (stage IIIB or IV).
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
A line of therapy is one course of treatment, which may combine several drugs. First-line is the first course given; second-line follows when that stops working or is not tolerated.
“Two prior lines” means two courses that count separately under the study’s rules — not simply two drugs. Ask the study team if you are unsure how yours are counted.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Able to have children. For women this usually means from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery; for men, unless permanently sterile. Read who the line is about — participants, women, men, or their partners.
Criteria about it usually ask for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed
The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at a sample under a microscope: tissue from a biopsy or surgery (histology), or cells from a fluid or needle sample (cytology).
Your pathology report is the document that shows this.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Measurable disease
The amount of disease can be tracked with a defined measurement, so the study can see whether it shrinks or grows. It might be a tumour measured on a scan or, in some blood cancers such as myeloma, a marker measured in blood or urine.
The criteria or the study team say which measurement counts — having no tumour visible on a scan does not by itself rule you out.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECOG performance status
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Life expectancy
The study doctor’s estimate of how long someone is likely to live. Criteria use it so that people can stay in the study long enough for it to answer its question.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Line of therapy
A line of therapy is one course of treatment, which may combine several drugs. First-line is the first course given; second-line follows when that stops working or is not tolerated.
“Two prior lines” means two courses that count separately under the study’s rules — not simply two drugs. Ask the study team if you are unsure how yours are counted.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Creatinine clearance (CrCl)
How quickly the kidneys clear creatinine, a waste product, from the blood. A study may estimate it from a blood test with age, weight and sex (often by the Cockcroft–Gault formula), or measure it using blood and urine collected over a set time. Given in mL/min; higher is better.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Childbearing potential
Able to become pregnant: from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery (removal of the womb, or of both ovaries or both fallopian tubes).
Criteria for people of childbearing potential usually ask for a negative pregnancy test and for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Reproductive potential
Able to have children. For women this usually means from the first period until menopause, unless permanently unable to through surgery; for men, unless permanently sterile. Read who the line is about — participants, women, men, or their partners.
Criteria about it usually ask for contraception during the study and for a time after it.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients will receive tetracycline 250mg every 12 hours for 1 month plus general dermatological recommendations (sunscreen and emollient cream)
Drug: Tetracycline
This arm only with general dermatologic recommendations. Patients in this arm can receive tetracycline after week 4 of assessment only if rash grade 3-4 occur
The experimental group will receive tetracycline 250mg every 12 hours for 1 month the same day at initiation of BIBW2992 whereas the non-intervention group will recieve general dermatological recomendations while on treatment with BIBW2992.
Also known as: Tetracycline hydrocloride, Tetrex®
Frequency of Participants Who Experienced Any Grade of Rash As Characterized By The Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) V4.0
Sum of participants who experienced any grade rash according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) V4.0, from the initiation of BIBW2992 compared to week 8.
Time frame: Percentage of adverse events at week 8
Quality of Life (QoL)
A QoL questionnaire from European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) organization (Spanish version) will be performed at initiation of BIBW 2992 and then every month of follow-up until progression
Time frame: from baseline to 6 months
Progression Free-survival
The measure will be from the start of consumption to the first documented evidence of progression according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, or if patients still survive the measure will be made after 24 weeks
Time frame: 24 weeks from baseline
Progression Free Survival
From the start of consumption of BIBW 2992 to the date progression or last follow up
Time frame: Participants will be followed for the duration of the treatment, an average of 8 weeks.
| Milestone | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 53 | 54 |
| Completed | 45 | 45 |
| Not completed | 8 | 9 |
| Withdrew: Lost to follow-up | 3 | 2 |
| Withdrew: Disease progression | 5 | 7 |
Sum of participants who experienced any grade rash according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) V4.0, from the initiation of BIBW2992 compared to week 8.
| Percentage of Patients w/any grade rash | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency of Participants Who Experienced Any Grade of Rash As Characterized By The Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Effects (CTCAE) V4.0 | 44.5 | 75.5 |
A QoL questionnaire from European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) organization (Spanish version) will be performed at initiation of BIBW 2992 and then every month of follow-up until progression
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
The measure will be from the start of consumption to the first documented evidence of progression according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria, or if patients still survive the measure will be made after 24 weeks
Results for this outcome have not been posted.
From the start of consumption of BIBW 2992 to the date progression or last follow up
| months | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline |
|---|---|---|
| Progression Free Survival | 8.1 (1.7 to 14.3) | 12.3 (7.1 to 17.5) |
Collected over All patients were followed-up, every two weeks for skin toxicities by a dermatologist since the start of treatment with afatinib, until the fourth week.. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tetracycline | — | 0/45 (0%) | 0/45 (0%) |
| No Tetracycline | — | 0/45 (0%) | 0/45 (0%) |
A total of 107 patients were enrolled. Due to progression and lost to follow-up, only 90 patients were evaluated for dermatological toxicities. Forty five patients were assigned to receive reactive treatment; the other 45 received pre-emptive tetracycline.
| Age, Categorical(Participants) | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| <=18 years | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Between 18 and 65 years | 12 | 12 | 24 |
| >=65 years | 33 | 33 | 66 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 57.5 ± 14 | 56.6 ± 14 | 57.05 ± 14 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 33 | 33 | 66 |
| Male | 12 | 12 | 24 |
| Region of Enrollment(participants) | Tetracycline | No Tetracycline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 45 | 45 | 90 |
The record gives a start of Dec 2010, a primary completion of Jul 2014 and a completion of Nov 2014. It does not say whether these dates are actual or estimated.
Results were first posted in Apr 2017, 2 years 9 months after primary completion.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is completed, as verified in Apr 2025. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Tetracycline
Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia de Mexico