861 EGFR/MEK inhibitor therapy induces partial hair follicle immune privilege collapse in vivo and ex vivo

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors(EGFRi) and Mitogen Activated Kinase inhibitors(MEKi) induce a folliculitis in 65-80% of patients, but it is unclear how they impact on the human hair follicle(HF). We have asked whether EGFRi/MEKi-induced folliculitis is associated with damage of the HFs immune privilege(IP) and the excessive HF secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators. Scalp biopsies were taken from EGFRi-treated patients exhibiting a folliculitis and compared to normal scalp skin(n=9).