Purpose: Acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is a frequent side effect experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a topical cream containing aminoacryl tRNA synthetase complex interacting 1 (AIMP1)-derived peptide (AdP) in mitigating radiation dermatitis (RD) in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.
Methods: An 8-week single-center, prospective pilot study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of an AdP-containing cream with a control cream lacking AdP for the mitigation of RD. Fifteen patients undergoing radiotherapy applied the test cream to the right side and the control cream to the left side of the radiation exposure site, bisected by the nipple line. RD was evaluated at baseline and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8, employing the 5-point grading system advocated by the Radiation Oncology Group (RTOG).
Results: The average RTOG score was lower on the test side in comparison to the control side, and a less pronounced increase in melanin index was observed on the test side. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Both sides exhibited increased skin hydration and decreased transepidermal water loss. Analyzing the maximum RTOG scores throughout the study, RD of maximum grades 1 and 2 was noted in 54.5% and 45.5% of patients on the test side. On the control side, the maximum grades 1 and 2 were observed in 45.5% and 54.5% of patients respectively.
Conclusion: The AdP-containing cream did not prove to be more effective than the control cream without AdP in mitigating RD. However, the total incidence of RD in our study was notably lower than previously documented, illustrating the protective effects of both the test and control creams.
Keywords: AIMP1-derived peptide (AdP); Breast cancer; Radiation dermatitis (RD); Topical cream.
© 2025. The Author(s).