A randomized paired comparison of photodynamic therapy and topical 5-fluorouracil in the treatment of actinic keratoses

A Trial of Short Incubation, Broad-Area Photodynamic Therapy for Facial Actinic Keratoses and Diffuse Photodamage

“…Actinic keratoses responded very favorably to short incubation times in the present study, with clearance rates comparable with those in the pivotal trials assessing the now FDA-approved 14-to 18-hour incu- 24,25,27-29 Kurwa et al 46 showed a similar response of AKs on the hand using a single 4-hour incubation of ␦-ALA followed by red light PDT (1 treatment session) vs fluorouracil cream applied twice daily for 3 weeks. 46 Because biopsy specimens were not obtained before and after treatment, resolution of AKs could be judged only on clinical grounds.…”

Laser-Mediated Photodynamic Therapy of Actinic Keratoses

“…[18][19][20] One prior report comparing PDT with incoherent red light (580-740 nm) and topical fluorouracil in treatment of extremity AKs showed a mean reduction in lesional area of 73% with PDT and 70% with fluorouracil at 6-month follow-up. 10 No patient showed complete clearing of AKs with either treatment. In the present study, LP PDL-mediated PDT in the treatment of extremity AKs resulted in patient mean percentage of lesion clearance rates of 83.1%, 75.5%, and 70.9% and percentage of lesion clearance rates of 75.2%, 68.8%, and 65.2% at 10-day, 2-month, and 4-month follow-up, respectively.…”

“…Disadvantages of PDT with incoherent light include pain during the lengthy illumination period, which lasts approximately 16 minutes, and posttreatment erythema and crusting that may persist for weeks. 10,11 The objective of this study was to advance PDT with the goals of diminished pain, faster treatment and recovery times, and improved posttreatment cosmesis. To address these goals, we investigated whether other light sources would be effective.…”

Development of Novel Ionic Liquid-Based Microemulsion Formulation for Dermal Delivery of 5-Fluorouracil

“…The available commercial topical preparation is the cream containing 5% 5-FU, established as a cheap, convenient, and selective dosage form for the treatment of skin cancer (20). For the treatment of precancerous skin lesions (actinic keratosis), topical application of 5-FU twice daily for approximately 3-4 weeks is recommended with the desired end point being a matter of clinical judgment.…”