title: Fluorouracil cream 0.5% for actinic keratoses on multiple body sites: an 18-month open-label study.
abstract: This prospective 18-month, open-label, multicenter study assessed the long-term safety and efficacy of fluorouracil cream 0.5% in 277 participants with multiple actinic keratoses (AKs) on the face/anterior scalp and other body sites. Two treatment/observation cycles were separated by 12 months. During treatment cycle 1 (TC1), all participants were treated with fluorouracil cream 0.5% for 4 weeks with 4-week follow-up. Twelve months later, all participants were assessed for treatment cycle 2 (TC2); participants with face/anterior scalp AKs (N = 98) were re-treated with fluorouracil cream 0.5% for 4 weeks with 4-week follow-up. Only 4 participants (7.4%) experienced a treatment-related adverse event (AE) that was not an application site reaction or eye irritation. No unexpected AEs were reported; most were mild or moderate. After TC1 (week 8), the number of AK lesions was significantly reduced on the face/anterior scalp and all other treated body sites (P < .0001). Clearance rates were 30.5% (hands), 39.8% (face/anterior scalp), and 79.1% (lips). After TC2 (week 60), face/anterior scalp AKs were significantly reduced (P < .0001) and the clearance rate was 33.3%. This study indicates that fluorouracil cream 0.5% with a patented microsponge delivery system was well-tolerated and effective in treating and preventing recurrence of AK lesions up to 18 months after initial treatment.
authors.affiliation: Burke Pharmaceutical Research, 3633 Central Ave, Ste I, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA. dbs4@cablelynx.com
authors.forename: Dow
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stough
authors.forename: Alicia D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Bucko
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vamvakias
authors.forename: Elyse S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rafal
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil