title: Apparent clinical resolution of pinnal actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma in a cat using topical imiquimod 5% cream.
abstract: Imiquimod is a topical immune response modifier and stimulator used in humans to treat a number of cutaneous neoplasms. This case report describes a cat with actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma of the pinnae. The pinnal lesions were treated with topical 5% imiquimod three times per week. Treatment was discontinued after 82 days of therapy. Twelve weeks of topical imiquimod application resulted in clinical resolution of the pinnal lesions. Although no post-treatment biopsies were performed, there was no relapse of the pinnal lesions in 5 months of clinical follow-up. Expected side effects were limited to erythema, crusting, alopecia, and mild discomfort at the sites of application during the first 3 weeks of application. These results suggest that topical imiquimod, although unproven, might be a therapeutic option or adjunct to therapy for cats with actinic keratoses and squamous cell carcinoma, especially those cats for whom surgery and radiation therapy are not an option.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. jp256@cornell.edu
authors.forename: Jeanine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peters-Kennedy
authors.forename: Danny W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D054644:Ear Auricle / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D000077271:Imiquimod; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod