title: The efficacy and safety of topical 5% 5-fluorouracil in renal transplant recipients for the treatment of actinic keratoses.
abstract: Actinic keratoses (AK) occur more commonly and behave more aggressively in renal transplant recipients (RTR). Topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is a commonly used agent whose efficacy and safety have never been exclusively studied in the RTR population before. Eight RTR were enrolled and 5% 5-FU cream applied to AK lesions on their face twice daily for 3 weeks. They were reviewed at 2 and 8 weeks, and 12 months post-commencement of treatment. Their AK were counted and their cumulative surface areas measured. Patients completed surveys monitoring adverse effects and tolerability. Complete (100%) and partial clearance (≥ 75%) rates were measured, as well as mean percentages of the reduction in AK surface area. Patients had complete clearance rates of 63 and 0% at 8 weeks and 12 months, respectively. All (100%) patients had partial clearance at week 8 and 71% had partial clearance at 12 months. Patients had on average 15 AK at week 0 and 1 and 3 at 8 weeks and 12 months, respectively. The mean AK clearance rate was 98% at week 8 and 79% at 12 months. Common side-effects were erythema, itch and flaking or scaling, mostly mild in severity. 5-FU appears to be an efficacious and safe treatment for AK in RTR.
authors.affiliation: Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Department of Dermatology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Annabel I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Ingham
authors.forename: Warren
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Weightman
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: 5-fluorouracil; actinic keratosis; immunosuppression; organ transplant; renal transplant; solar keratosis