Enhancing treatment effectiveness for actinic keratosis patients: A breakthrough study

Actinic keratosis is the most known precancer that forms on skin damaged by sun exposure, particularly in areas like the scalp, face, and back of the hands. While both daylight PDT and 5-fluorouracil cream have proven effective for milder cases, more effective treatment methods are needed for severe actinic keratoses cases.

The research project centered on evaluating how pretreatment with 5-fluorouracil cream can enhance the effectiveness of daylight PDT in patients with multiple actinic keratoses on the scalp and face. The study enrolled 60 patients who had one of two symmetrical areas pretreated with 5-fluorouracil cream for seven days. Subsequently, both areas underwent daylight PDT, either outdoors or indoors using specialized daylight lamps. The treatment's effectiveness was then evaluated at 3, 6, and 12 months.

The recently completed study yielded promising results, demonstrating a significant increase in the effectiveness of the combined treatment with 5-fluorouracil cream and daylight PDT for both thin and thick actinic keratoses. Notably, the combination treatment provided a substantial benefit for thick lesions, increasing the effectiveness from 56% with daylight PDT alone to 78% when combined with 5-fluorouracil cream. Despite temporary redness following the treatment, patients participating in the trial expressed high levels of satisfaction with the combination therapy.

The results open new possibilities for significantly enhancing the effectiveness of actinic keratosis treatment. The combination of 5-fluorouracil cream and daylight PDT offers a convenient and well-tolerated treatment method, addressing the needs of patients with multiple thick actinic keratoses. The study presents an opportunity to optimize patient outcomes and improve the overall treatment experience.