Comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of 3% diclofenac sodium gel and 5% imiquimod cream in the treatment of actinic keratosis

Abstract

The two drugs were found to be equally effective and safe in the treatment of actinic keratosis but complete remission was very low. Therefore, topical treatments with these two drugs were not seen to be completely effective, and combined therapies and further studies are needed.

From keratinocyte to cancer: the pathogenesis and modeling of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

“…Another common topical agent to treat AKs is diclofenac, a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory compound with an unclear mechanism of action on AKs. Recent studies using diclofenac and imiquimod showed therapeutic weaknesses associated with poor clearance rates and significant irritation (104). Overall, the most common topical agents used to treat AKs have significant negative features, including irritation, decreased quality of life, and limited efficacy.…”

Pharmacoeconomy of drugs used in the treatment of actinic keratoses

“…Among the references various publications were found which describe the efficacy of diclofenac sodium [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] and one study 16 for ingenol mebutate containing 150 μg/g of ingenol mebutate.…”

A randomized pilot comparative study of topical methyl aminolevulinate photodynamic therapy versus imiquimod 5% versus sequential application of both therapies in immunocompetent patients with actinic keratosis: Clinical and histologic outcomes

“…2,4 Both approaches have been well compared with other therapeutic options, especially 5-fluorouracil, 7,9,11 cryotherapy, 5,9,18 and diclofenac. 10 The only study comparing PDT with imiquimod 12 analyzed AK on the arms; therefore, conclusions cannot be drawn for AK on the face and scalp, which are the most common sites of these lesions. Our results showed imiquimod to be superior to PDT for the treatment of AK on the face and scalp in terms of clinical and histologic efficacy; furthermore, both histologic response and complete clinicopathologic response were significantly better in patients treated with imiquimod than in patients treated with PDT.…”

“…They also provide a longer recurrence-free period. [2][3][4] Several studies compare PDT [5][6][7][8] and imiquimod [9][10][11] with other treatments for AK, however, few studies to date have compared PDT and imiquimod. Sotiriou et al 12 compared 5-aminolevulinic acid PDT with imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of AK on the arms in a series of 30 patients; however, their results cannot be extrapolated to the most frequently affected parts of the body, namely, the face and scalp.…”