Peer-reviewed article
OTHR-18. A pilot study evaluating the access, utilization, and patient satisfaction of basic skin care products among pediatric patients prescribed medications that target the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway
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Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This is a medical study about skin care products for children with cancer who are taking medications that affect the MAPK pathway. The study is not about child well-being as defined by the African Institute for Children Studies; it focuses on a narrow clinical intervention for a specific disease treatment rather than children's health, development, protection, or participation more broadly.
Key points
Limitations
This document does not address child well-being as a general concept and is outside the scope of research on children's survival, development, protection, and participation in African or global contexts.
Abstract
Abstract BACKGROUND: The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is dysregulated in approximately one third of all malignancies. Agents targeting this pathway are known to cause frequent and significant skin toxicity. METHODS: Patients <21 years of age prescribed any medication targeting the MAPK pathway within the past six months were eligible for this prospective, pilot study. Each participant received a complimentary skin care kit consisting of basic skin and oral care items. At baseline and three months after enrollment, participants completed surveys assessing demographics, skin symptoms, use of the products, and quality of life (QOL; Dermatology Life Quality Index and Child Dermatology Life Quality Index, CDLQI). OBJECTIVES: Primary aims were evaluating utilization of the kit and measuring patient satisfaction of the items included. Secondary aims included determining skin-related QOL and assessing adherence to MAPK targeted therapy. RESULTS: Eleven participants (seven male, four female; median age 13 years, range 4-21 years) have enrolled to date (enrollment goal of 30). Participant therapies included MEK inhibitors (nine), a pan-RAF inhibitor (one), and combination MEK-mTOR inhibition (one). Six have completed the three-month follow-up. Of these six, four rated their satisfaction with the kit as excellent, one each rated very good and fair satisfaction. Five participants rated the kit helpful and thought the kits should be distributed when patients begin therapy. Three started taking their targeted agent before enrolling in the study and their CDLQI changed from 3 to 0.3 (means; improved). Three participants started their targeted agent after enrollment and their CDLQI changed from 1 to 3.3 (means; worsened). CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported that skin care kits were helpful and recommended use by other patients on MAPK-targeted agents. Continued follow-up and enrollment in the study will help further explore the utility of specific products in the kits, as well as changes in patients’ QOL.