Visualization and Treatment of Subclinical Actinic Keratoses with Topical Imiquimod 5% Cream: An Observational Study
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND Imiquimod 5% is licensed for the treatment of external genital warts, superficial basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis (AK) and is being used experimentally in various other dermato-oncological conditions. OBJECTIVE This observational study shall show that nonmelanoma skin cancer can be detected at its earliest subclinical stage by its reaction with imiquimod and can be cleared by finishing the course of treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this single arm trial 15 patients with chronically sun-exposed skin who had no clinical evidence of AK were treated with 5% imiquimod cream on the face or scalp for 4 weeks three times per week. RESULTS During treatment, all patients developed multiple areas with mild to moderate inflammatory skin reactions, such as erythema, induration, and scaling. Biopsies obtained from 12 patients prior to treatment revealed no malignancies. However, in cases with more pronounced inflammation during treatment, targeted biopsies indicated very early malignant alterations. CONCLUSION Topical imiquimod treatment of chronically sun-exposed skin without overt clinical signs of AK is able to detect subclinical actinic keratoses (SAK) and to completely clear the lesions, even before they can be clinically diagnosed as AK. In such patients, imiquimod might be able to prevent the evolution of SCC.
منابع مشابه
Reflectance confocal microscopy for noninvasive monitoring of therapy and detection of subclinical actinic keratoses.
BACKGROUND Actinic keratoses (AK) represent cutaneous carcinoma in situ and have previously been evaluated by reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM). Treatment of AK with imiquimod (IMIQ) 5% cream has been shown to 'highlight' subclinical lesions. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to test the applicability of RCM for noninvasive monitoring of actinic field cancerization and detection of subc...
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BACKGROUND The therapy for actinic keratoses includes photodynamic therapy (PDT) and imiquimod 5% cream. The sequential use of both could result in better clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES To enhance efficacy of therapies while improving tolerability, convenience, and patient adherence with a scheme combining two concomitant or sequential AK treatments. METHODS All patients underwent one sessio...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
دوره 2014 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2014