Hoth Therapeutics Aims to Heal the Hidden Wounds of Cancer Treatment

NEW YORK, NY – January 02, 2026 – Hoth Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, has taken a significant step toward addressing one of the most widespread and debilitating side effects of modern cancer care. The company announced the filing of two U.S. provisional patent applications, establishing a new intellectual property platform focused on treating severe skin toxicities caused by radiation and next-generation targeted therapies. This move signals a strategic push into the rapidly growing field of oncodermatology, offering a new ray of hope for patients whose life-saving treatments come at a painful cost.

The Unspoken Toll of Cancer Therapy

For millions of cancer patients, the battle does not end with a diagnosis. The very treatments designed to save their lives—radiotherapy and targeted molecular drugs—often wage a secondary war on their bodies, with the skin being a primary casualty. This is not a minor inconvenience; it is a critical and often overlooked crisis in oncology.

Industry data reveals a staggering prevalence. Up to 95% of patients undergoing radiotherapy will develop some form of radiation-induced dermatitis (RID), a painful condition that can range from persistent redness and itching to severe ulceration and necrosis. Patients with head and neck or breast cancers are particularly vulnerable, with some studies showing nearly all patients experiencing some degree of RID.

Similarly, the rise of highly effective targeted therapies, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, has been accompanied by a high incidence of dermatologic adverse events. Between 75% and 90% of patients on these drugs experience side effects like severe acne-like rashes, extreme dryness, and painful inflammation of the hands and feet. The impact on a patient's quality of life is profound, causing constant pain, disfigurement, emotional distress, and a heightened risk of infection.

Crucially, these toxicities are more than just a burden to bear; they are a major barrier to successful treatment. The severity of the skin reactions frequently forces physicians to reduce the dosage of a cancer drug or, in worst-case scenarios, halt the therapy altogether. Such interruptions can directly compromise the efficacy of the treatment and negatively impact a patient's long-term prognosis. Despite the scale of the problem, the standard of care has remained largely supportive, relying on moisturizers, topical steroids, and antibiotics that manage symptoms rather than addressing the underlying biological cause.

A Targeted Solution for a Treatment-Induced Problem

Hoth Therapeutics is proposing a new path forward with its compound, HT-001. The company's dual patent filings aim to protect the use of this topical agent to prevent and treat skin damage from both radiation and a new class of drugs called menin inhibitors, which are used for acute leukemias. This represents a significant expansion for HT-001, which is already showing promise in clinical trials.

HT-001 is a receptor antagonist formulated as a non-steroidal topical gel. It is designed to work by targeting the specific neurogenic and inflammatory pathways that are implicated in therapy-induced skin injury. Unlike palliative creams, it is a mechanism-driven therapy intended to interrupt the biological cascade that leads to the painful rashes and dermatitis.

The company is not starting from scratch. HT-001 is currently the subject of a Phase 2a clinical trial, known as CLEER-001, for treating the characteristic rash and pruritus associated with EGFR inhibitors. Interim data from this trial has been highly encouraging. In an open-label cohort, 100% of patients achieved at least one primary endpoint of clinical improvement in their skin condition. Perhaps more importantly, 66% reported reductions in pain and itching, and a remarkable 0% of patients in the trial required a dose reduction or discontinuation of their primary EGFR inhibitor therapy. The treatment has also been well-tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported.

These promising results provide a strong foundation for the new patent filings. By leveraging a compound with an established pharmacological profile and demonstrated clinical potential, Hoth is strategically expanding its application to address a broader spectrum of oncodermatology needs.

A Strategic Play in the Supportive Care Market

The patent filings are more than a clinical development milestone; they are a calculated business strategy that positions Hoth Therapeutics (NASDAQ: HOTH) in a burgeoning and underserved market. As cancer therapies become more potent and patients live longer, the market for supportive care—therapies that manage side effects and improve quality of life—is becoming increasingly vital.

"These filings represent a meaningful expansion of our intellectual property estate into an increasingly important area of oncology care," said Robb Knie of Hoth Therapeutics in the company's official announcement. "As cancer therapies advance, the ability to manage treatment-related toxicities is becoming essential. We believe this emerging platform highlights our strategy of identifying differentiated, mechanism-driven opportunities that can address significant unmet needs while creating long-term shareholder value."

For a micro-cap biotech with a market capitalization of around $15 million, this IP-centric approach is critical. While the company reported sufficient cash to fund operations for the next year, advancing multiple clinical programs will require additional capital. Success with HT-001 could be transformative. Analyst price targets sit significantly higher than the stock's recent trading price of just over $1.00, suggesting Wall Street sees substantial upside potential contingent on clinical and regulatory success.

By repurposing and expanding the use of HT-001, Hoth is creating a scalable platform with potential applications not just in radiation oncology and targeted therapy support, but also in broader dermatology and inflammatory skin disorders. This diversifies the company's portfolio, which also includes candidates for Alzheimer's disease and mast cell disorders, and mitigates risk while maximizing the value of its core assets.

The Future of Holistic Cancer Treatment

Hoth's initiative with HT-001 reflects a larger, crucial evolution in the philosophy of cancer care. The focus is expanding from simply eradicating cancer cells to managing the patient's entire journey, ensuring that the cure is not as debilitating as the disease. Leading oncologists and dermatologists have noted that the ability to keep a patient on their optimal, life-saving treatment regimen without interruption is a paramount goal.

A therapy that can effectively prevent or treat severe skin toxicities could redefine the standard of care. It would empower oncologists to prescribe the most effective treatments at the most effective doses without the constant fear of treatment-limiting side effects. For patients, the benefit is twofold: a better quality of life during an arduous treatment journey and a greater chance of a successful clinical outcome.

As Hoth Therapeutics prepares to advance its oncodermatology platform, with plans to expand its clinical trial program into Europe this year, the medical community will be watching closely. The development of a first-in-class, mechanism-driven topical treatment for these common and severe side effects would not just be a commercial success; it would be a profound victory for millions of cancer patients worldwide, finally offering a targeted solution to one of their most painful and persistent challenges.