title: Vehicle-controlled, double-blind, randomized study of imiquimod 5% cream applied 3 days per week in one or two courses of treatment for actinic keratoses on the head.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A shorter dosing regimen of imiquimod for the treatment of actinic keratosis may be effective, with long-term clinical benefits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Imiquimod in one or two shorter courses of treatment was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with actinic keratosis lesions on the head applied imiquimod or vehicle cream 3x/wk for 4 weeks (course 1). Patients with remaining lesions received another course of treatment. Complete and partial clearance rates were evaluated after course 1, after course 2 (overall), and 1 year later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete clearance rates were 26.8% (course 1) and 53.7% (overall). Partial clearance rates were 36.6% (course 1) and 61.0% (overall). One-year follow-up recurrence rates were 39% (imiquimod) and 57% (vehicle).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Blinded investigators may have been biased toward patients treated with imiquimod identified by treatment site reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imiquimod 3x/wk in one or two courses of treatment appears to be effective for the treatment of actinic keratoses on the head, providing long-term clinical benefits. Some recurrences do occur, so long-term follow-up is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. jjorizzo@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jorizzo
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dinehart
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Matheson
authors.forename: Jeffrey K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.forename: Terry L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McRae
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fielder
authors.forename: James H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005148:Facial Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D009824:Ointments; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012008:Recurrence; D012536:Scalp Dermatoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D009824:Ointments; D000077271:Imiquimod