Zinc deficiency associated with cutaneous toxicities induced by epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy in patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Consensus of the Taiwanese dermatological association and Taiwan Lung Cancer Society on the prevention and management of tyrosine kinase inhibitor-related skin toxicities in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: An updated version incorporating Taiwanese treatment experience

The 2023 consensus from the Taiwanese Dermatological Association (TDA) and Taiwan Lung Cancer Society (TLCS) addresses the management of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-induced skin toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Providing a comprehensive overview, the consensus reflects recent advances in understanding causes and developmental processes of TKI-related skin toxicities. Aimed at guiding clinicians in Taiwan, the consensus integrates new treatment perspectives while incorporating experiences from local dermatology experts. Recommendations underwent a voting process, achieving consensus when 75% or more of experts agreed, leading to their inclusion. Approved by over 90% of participants, the recommended treatment algorithms for major skin toxicities offer valuable insights for clinicians managing TKI-associated effects in NSCLC patients.

Zinc supplementation decreased incidence of grade ≥2 hand-foot skin reaction induced by regorafenib: A phase II randomized clinical trial

To the editor: Hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), characterized by skin abnormalities on palmoplantar surfaces, has an overall incidence of about 35% upon vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs) treatment.1 Zinc, which plays a role in maintaining skin health, may be implicated in the pathogenesis of HFSR.2 Zinc deficiency has been shown to associate with dermatological toxicities of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-TKI.3, 4 Regorafenib, an oral multi-kinase inhibitor targeting VEGFR 1-3, PDGFR, cKIT, BRAF, and RET1, is approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) but commonly causes HFSR.5 This phase II randomized trial aimed to investigate whether zinc supplementation can reduce the severity of HFSR induced by regorafenib within the first 8 weeks of treatment (NCT03898102).

Heavy Metal Concentrations of Beeswax (Apis mellifera L.) at Different Ages

Beeswax is a naturally occurring product that worker bees produce. Beeswax is used in a variety of industries and pharmaceuticals. Humans utilize it extensively in cosmetics, medicinal formulations, and food manufacturing. Beeswax is an essential component of advanced contemporary beekeeping. Beekeepers, in particular, utilize significant amounts of beeswax to make beeswax comb foundation. In its natural condition, beeswax is white, but it becomes yellow then dark in color when it comes into touch with honey and pollen. The ongoing use of wax comb in bee activities (such as brood rearing, storage honey and bee bread), combined with environmental factors such as heavy metal and pesticide residues, resulted in a black color. Because of heavy metals can accumulate in wax for decades, beeswax can be a helpful tool for gathering data on hazardous contaminants in the environment. Because of their lipid-based chemical composition, beeswax combs act as a sink for numerous ambient pollutants as well as poisons when in the hive. The current study aims to measure nine heavy metals and important elements, including iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and cobalt (Co) in beeswax collected in the Behaira governorate region of Egypt between 2018 and 2022. Sample collection was conducted each year in triplicate. The samples were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The quantity of metals in beeswax at different ages differed significantly. Depending on the wax age, Fe has the highest concentration in the range of 2.068 to 5.041 ppm, while Cd has the lowest ratio at 0.024 to 0.054 ppm from the first to fifth years old of comb age. The findings showed that as beeswax combs aged, the concentration of heavy metals rose. According to the study, it should gradually recycle beeswax combs each year and also adding new foundations.