Treatment of Bowen's disease with topical 5% imiquimod cream: retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Topical 5% imiquimod cream is an FDA-approved treatment for superficial basal cell carcinomas. It has also been utilized in the treatment of Bowen's disease (squamous cell in situ). The current literature on this subject, however, is scant, and this treatment is only validated by case reports and two small open label studies.


OBJECTIVE
The objective was to assess the efficacy of topical 5% imiquimod cream in the treatment of squamous cell in situ in a larger open-label case series. METHODS A retrospective study of 49 patients was performed.


RESULTS
Forty-two of the 49 (86%) patients in the study had a complete response with topical imiquimod. The remaining 7 (14%) failed therapy and required additional treatments. The mean follow-up duration was 19 months, with a range of 1 to 44 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Topical 5% imiquimod cream appears to be clinically beneficial in the treatment of Bowen's disease and should be considered as a treatment option.
Rosen
Ted
T
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and Department of Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77005, USA. vampireted@aol.com
Harting
Mandy
M
Gibson
Marian
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009824:Ointments; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D009824:Ointments; D000077271:Imiquimod