title: Topical treatment of cutaneous metastases of malignant melanoma using combined imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite multiple available options, the treatment of cutaneous melanoma metastases is often unsuccessful. Based on the hypothesis that imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil have synergistic antitumor properties, we used this topical combination to treat several patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to investigate the treatment combination in a small cohort of patients with surgically non-resectable melanoma metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lesions of 5 patients with multiple cutaneous metastases were treated topically, 5 days per week, with 5-fluorouracil in the morning and imiquimod at night.
  
  
  RESULTS
  45 lesions were treated. A clinical response was seen in 44 lesions, with a complete response in 19 lesions and a partial response in 25. Stable disease was confirmed in the 1 remaining lesion. No patients developed new lesions during treatment. However, one patient had a recurrence 6 months after treatment discontinuation, followed by a partial response when rechallenged.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil combination is effective. That patients did not develop new, distant lesions suggests the achievement of locoregional control, probably by the induction of antitumor immune response.
authors: Department of Dermatology, Claude-Huriez Hospital, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France.
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Florin
authors: Eve
authors: E
authors: Desmedt
authors: Sophie
authors: S
authors: Vercambre-Darras
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Mortier
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008545:Melanoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod; D005472:Fluorouracil