Vehicle-controlled, randomized, double-blind study to assess safety and efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream applied once daily 3 days per week in one or two courses of treatment of actinic keratoses on the head

BACKGROUND: Imiquimod has been investigated as a safe and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate imiquimod vs. vehicle applied three times a week for 4 weeks in one or two courses of treatment for AK on the face or balding scalp. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AK were enrolled in this multicentre, vehicle-controlled, double-blind study conducted in Europe. Twenty study centres enrolled a total of 259 patients in this study. Patients applied the study drug for 4 weeks, entered a 4-week rest period and if they did not have complete clearance, they then entered a second course of treatment. RESULTS: Patients in the imiquimod group had an overall complete clearance rate of 55.0% (71/129) vs. a rate of 2.3% (3/130) for the vehicle group. There was a high rate of agreement between the clinical assessment and histological findings with respect to AK lesion clearance. At both 8-week post-treatment visits, the negative predictive value of the investigator assessment was 92.2% for clinical assessments vs. histological results. CONCLUSIONS: A 4-week course of treatment with three times weekly dosing of imiquimod 5% cream, with a repeated course of treatment for those patients who fail to clear after the first course of treatment, is a safe and effective treatment for AK. The overall complete clearance rate (complete clearance after either course 1 or course 2) is comparable to the 16-week treatment regimen, while decreasing drug exposure to the patient and decreasing the overall treatment time.     

A randomized,double-blind,vehicle-controlled study to assess 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of multiple actinic keratoses

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are precancerous epidermal lesions found most frequently on areas of the skin exposed to the sun. Several case studies published recently have indicated that 5% imiquimod cream, currently licensed for the treatment of genital warts, may be an effective treatment for AK. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of imiquimod for the treatment of AK. DESIGN: Patients in this randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study applied 5% imiquimod cream or vehicle to AK lesions 3 times per week for a maximum of 12 weeks or until lesions had resolved. In the event of an adverse reaction, application of imiquimod was reduced to 1 or 2 times per week. Rest periods were also allowed if necessary. SETTING: A specialized outpatient dermatology clinic within a state-funded hospital in Germany. PATIENTS: The study population was aged 45 to 85 years. Of 52 patients screened, 36 men and women with AK confirmed by histological diagnosis were enrolled. Patients were excluded from the study if they did not have a histological diagnosis for AK, if they were older than 85 years, or if they did not comply with the protocol. All patients had responded to a notice asking for volunteers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The number and appearance of lesions were evaluated before, during, and after treatment. All adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: Lesions treated with 5% imiquimod cream were clinically cleared in 21 (84%) of 25 patients and partially cleared in 2 (8%). Clearance was histologically confirmed 2 weeks after the last application of imiquimod in all patients clinically diagnosed as lesion free. Only 10% of patients treated with imiquimod were clinically diagnosed with recurrence 1 year after treatment. No reduction in the size or number of AK lesions was observed in vehicle-treated patients. Adverse effects reported by patients treated with imiquimod included erythema, edema, induration, vesicles, erosion, ulceration, excoriation, and scabbing. However, imiquimod was well tolerated since all patients completed the 12-week treatment. Only a few, mild adverse reactions to the vehicle cream were reported. CONCLUSION: Application of 5% imiquimod cream for 12 weeks is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for AK.     

Treatment of external genital warts in men using 5% imiquimod cream applied three times a week, once daily, twice daily, or three times a day

BACKGROUND: Medical therapy for genital warts remains suboptimal. The topical interferon and cytokine inducer, imiquimod, has been proved effective for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts, but there is a substantial difference in the response rates between men and women. When 5% imiquimod cream is applied three times a week up to 16 weeks, approximately two thirds of women treated with imiquimod achieve complete clearance of genital warts, whereas only about one third of men clear completely. GOAL: This study was undertaken to determine whether more frequent application of topical imiquimod cream would improve the rate of genital wart clearance in men. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized treatment trial involving adult men with biopsy-proven genital warts was conducted at nine centers in the United States and Canada using four different application frequencies. RESULTS: Complete clearance rates during the 16-week treatment period were as follows for the different imiquimod treatment frequencies: three times a week (35 %), once daily (28 %), twice daily (24%), and three times a day (27%)(P = 0.88). The four treatment groups all showed comparable reductions in the total lesion area, with a median of more than a 90% reduction in the lesion area by the end of treatment. There was a significant increase in the incidence and severity of local skin reactions including erythema, vesicle formation, ulceration, and excoriation as the dosing frequency increased from three times a week to three times a day. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the optimal dosage regimen was the approved three times a week regimen. More frequent application (up to three times a day) did not improve clearance and was associated with an increase in local adverse events.     

Imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of actinic keratoses

Actinic keratoses (AKs) are premalignant inflammatory skin lesions with the potential to transform into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There are several treatment options available for patients presenting with multiple AKs. Imiquimod is believed to stimulate and enhance host immune responses locally against skin tumors and viral infections. Five clinical studies to date have demonstrated its safety and efficacy in the treatment of actinic keratoses. Long-term follow-up studies examining recurrence rates are limited.     

Comparison of topical 3% diclofenac sodium gel and 5% imiquimod cream for the treatment of actinic keratoses

Background. There is a wide spectrum of treatments available for actinic keratosis (AK). Topical diclofenac sodium and imiquimod are two topical treatments, which are noninvasive, easily applied, well‐tolerated and effective. Aim. To compare the effects of topical 3% diclofenac sodium plus hyaluranon (DFS) gel, 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream, and base cream (BC) in patients with AK. Methods. In total, 61 patients, diagnosed clinically and histopathologically as having AK, were randomized into three treatment groups to receive topical treatment with either DFS (twice daily for 12 weeks), IMQ (twice per week for 16 weeks) or BC (twice daily for 12 weeks). Patients were evaluated clinically at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 weeks. Treatment efficacy was assessed by Total Thickness Score (TTS) and Patient Global Improvement Index (PGII). Results. Complete clearance rates for DFS, IMQ and BC at the end of the treatment and at the end of the total follow‐up period were 19.1%, 20% and 0%, and 14.3%, 45% and 0%, respectively. Although the average TTS value of the DFS group at week 24 was significantly higher than that of the IMQ group, the PGII values were not significantly different. Conclusions. Although DFS and IMQ each had considerable efficacy in the treatment of AK, the efficacy of DFS seemed to decrease after cessation of treatment.     

Pharmacokinetics and safety of imiquimod 5% cream in the treatment of actinic keratoses of the face,scalp, or hands and arms

The safety and efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream is being evaluated for the treatment of dysplastic lesions of the epidermis (actinic keratoses, AK). The objective of this clinical study was to describe the pharmacokinetics and safety of topical imiquimod during multiple dosing of AK subjects. A total of 58 adult subjects with 5 to 20 AK lesions at the treatment site applied imiquimod cream three times per week for up to 16 weeks as follows: 12 males and 11 females applied 12.5 mg imiquimod to the face; 11 males applied 25 mg to the entire balding area of the scalp; and 12 males and 12 females applied 75 mg to both hands and forearms. Pharmacokinetics and safety were assessed after the first and last doses, as well as biweekly. Imiquimod and its metabolites were measured in the serum and urine using sensitive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry methods. Less than 0.6% of the applied doses was recovered in the urine of all subjects. Serum imiquimod levels were low, reflecting minimal dermal absorption, and increased with dose, although not proportionally. Peak levels at the end of dosing were 0.1, 0.2, and 1.6 ng/ml for the face, scalp, and hands/arms groups, respectively. A two- to fourfold accumulation was seen at the end of dosing. Local application site reactions were the most common adverse event, reported by approximately 50% of the subjects in each treatment group. The small number of systemic adverse events, including flu-like symptoms, were mostly mild and did not show a dose response. Thus, minimal systemic absorption and good safety margins for topical imiquimod were seen in AK subjects with doses as high as 75 mg three times per week for 16 weeks.Abbreviations AK Actinic keratosis - 2,5-AS 25-Oligoadenylate synthetase - AUC Area under the concentration-time curve - Cmax Maximum serum concentration - IFN Interferon-alpha - IL-1RA Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist - Rmax Maximum change from baseline value     

Clinical effect of imiquimod 5% cream in the treatment of actinic keratosis

BACKGROUND: Actinic keratosis (AK) is the earliest clinical manifestation of squamous cell carcinoma. Metastatic SCC causes the majority of the 1300 to 2300 deaths attributed to nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States each year. Recent studies have shown that intralesional administration of interferon can be used successfully in the treatment of AK. OBJECTIVE: Imiquimod is an immune response modifier, currently approved for the treatment of genital warts. The topically applied immune response modifier acts by up-regulating interferon and other cytokines involved in the cell-mediated immune response at the site of application. The aim of this was to determine the efficacy and safety of imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of AK. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with AK lesions were treated with imiquimod 5% cream, initially at 3 times per week for 8 weeks, or until total clearance of lesions. Patients applied imiquimod to lesions on one side of the body and vehicle cream to the other side. A total of 17 patients who completed treatment were evaluated for number of lesions and adverse reactions before treatment and at weeks 2, 4, 6, and 8 after initiation of treatment. AK lesions were also assessed 4 and 8 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the average number of lesions per patient was observed for patients treated with imiquimod. The most frequent reactions to treatment were erythema, itching, and scabbing; however, all adverse events were mild to moderate. CONCLUSION: Imiquimod 5% cream may be a promising treatment for AK.     

Dosing with 5% imiquimod cream 3 times per week for the treatment of actinic keratosis: results of two phase 3, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5% imiquimod cream compared with vehicle in the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK). DESIGN: Two phase 3 randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, vehicle-controlled studies. SETTING: Twenty-six ambulatory care offices, including dermatologists in private practice or research centers. PATIENTS: Four hundred ninety-two patients, 18 years and older, with 4 to 8 AK lesions in a 25-cm(2) treatment area on the face or the balding scalp were randomized; an additional 162 patients underwent screening but were ineligible. INTERVENTIONS: Patients applied 5% imiquimod (Aldara) or vehicle cream to the treatment area once daily, 3 times per week, for 16 weeks, followed by an 8-week posttreatment period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Complete clearance rate (proportion of patients at the 8-week posttreatment visit with no clinically visible AK lesions in the treatment area), partial clearance rate (proportion of patients at the 8-week posttreatment visit with a >/=75% reduction in the number of baseline AK lesions in the treatment area), and frequency and severity of adverse events and local skin reactions were measured. RESULTS: Complete and partial clearance rates for imiquimod-treated patients (48.3% and 64.0%, respectively) were clinically and statistically significantly higher than for vehicle-treated patients (7.2% and 13.6%, respectively). The median percentage reduction of baseline lesions was 86.6% for the imiquimod-treated group and 14.3% for the vehicle-treated group. CONCLUSION: The 5% imiquimod cream dosed 3 times weekly for 16 weeks is safe and effective for the treatment of AK.     

A randomized trial of topical 5% 5-fluorouracil (Efudix cream) in the treatment of actinic keratoses comparing daily with weekly treatment

BACKGROUND: Topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cream is widely used in the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) but the optimum treatment regimen that provides efficacy while minimizing side-effects remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: A randomized trial to compare the efficacy and side-effects of daily vs. weekly application of 5% 5-FU in the treatment of AKs of the scalp and face. PATIENTS/METHODS: Twenty patients were recruited and randomized to two groups. Group 1 (13 patients) applied 5% 5-FU twice daily for 3 weeks, group 2 (seven patients) applied 5% 5-FU twice daily for 1 day per week for 12 weeks. Patients were reviewed at weeks 3, 12, 24 and 52. At each review a lesion count and lesion map were completed and patients were asked to score efficacy and inflammation. RESULTS: At week 0 the median lesion count was the same in both groups, 17.5 lesions. At 12 weeks the median lesion count in group 1 had fallen to 0 where it remained for the duration of follow-up. In group 2 the median lesion count fell to 6 at 12 weeks, 5.5 at 24 weeks and was 3 at 52 weeks. The difference in the lesion count was significant at all time points after week 0: P < 0.05 at weeks 12 and 52, and P < 0.01 at week 24. The mean inflammation score was higher in patients clear of AKs at 12 weeks compared with those who had not cleared, 3.8 compared with 1.9. This difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05) suggesting that inflammation is necessary for efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that daily application of 5% 5-FU cream is more effective than weekly application at clearing AKs from the scalp and face. Our results also suggest that inflammation is likely to be required to achieve a therapeutic effect.     

Cycle therapy of actinic keratoses of the face and scalp with 5% topical imiquimod cream: An open-label trial

BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies indicate that topically applied immune response modifiers may be an effective and safe method of treating actinic keratoses (AKs). OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to study the potential efficacy of topical 5% imiquimod cream in the treatment of facial or scalp AKs and improve the safety profile by using a novel "cycle" dosing regimen. METHODS: This pilot study is an open-label trial that included 25 patients who had between 5 and 20 discrete AKs within a cosmetic unit of the forehead, scalp, or cheek. Treatment consisted of once-daily application of 5% imiquimod cream, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. to the entire cosmetic unit, followed by a rest period of 4 weeks. The cycle was repeated if any AKs remained after a complete 8-week cycle. A maximum of 3 cycles was permitted (24 weeks). Thirty-three sites in 25 patients were evaluated. RESULTS: Compliance was excellent with a very tolerable safety profile. Complete clearing of all AKs was noted in 82% (27/33) of anatomic sites in 25 study subjects. Almost half the sites (15/33) were clear at the end of the first cycle. A "therapeutic interval" was noted during the rest period wherein clinical inflammation subsided but AKs continued to clear. An added effect was the uncovering and clinical appearance and subsequent eradication of incipient (subclinical) AKs in the treatment area. CONCLUSION: There was excellent compliance with the cycle therapy regimen. The observations and hypotheses made in this pilot study will be tested in controlled, randomized trials with larger study populations. The identification of a therapeutic interval may prove to be beneficial in formulating individualized dosing regimens.     

Treatment of psoriasis and atopic dermatitis with halcinonide cream applied once and three times daily

In a double-blind multi-centre study, comprising ninety-five patients with psoriasis and atopic dermatitis, 0.1% halcinonide cream applied once daily was equally as effective as the cream applied three times daily. However, the onset of action was more rapid when the cream was applied three times daily. In a control study once daily application of 0.1% halcinonide cream was found to be superior to the vehicle alone in the treatment of forty patients with the same diseases.