title: Topical therapies for skin cancer and actinic keratosis.
abstract: The global incidence of skin cancer and actinic keratosis (AK) has increased dramatically in recent years. Although many tumours are treated with surgery or radiotherapy topical therapy has a place in the management of certain superficial skin neoplasms and AK. This review considers skin physiology, non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the relationship between AK and skin cancer and drugs administered topically for these conditions. The dermal preparations for management of NMSC and AK are discussed in detail. Notably few studies have examined drug disposition in cancerous skin or in AK. Finally, recent novel approaches for targeting of drugs to skin neoplasms and AK are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tasnuva
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haque
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Khondaker M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, Britannia House, 7 Trinity Street, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Thurston
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hadgraft
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics, UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, London WC1N 1AX, United Kingdom. Electronic address: majella.lane@btinternet.com.
authors.forename: Majella E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lane
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003879:Dermatologic Agents
keywords: Actinic keratosis; Cancer; Formulation; Melanoma; Skin; Topical