Imiquimod Treatment of Superficial and Nodular Basal Cell... : Dermatologic Surgery (original) (raw)

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

12-Week Open-Label Trial

Peris, Ketty MD*; Campione, Elena MD†; Micantonio, Tamara MD*; Marulli, Georgiana Clar MD†; Fargnoli, Maria Concetta MD*; Chimenti, Sergio MD†

*Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy; †Department of Dermatology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata,” Rome, Italy

Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Ketty Peris, MD, Department of Dermatology, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, Coppito 2, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy, or e-mail: [email protected]

KETTY PERIS, MD, ELENA CAMPIONE, MD, TAMARA MICANTONIO, MD, GEORGIANA CLARE MARULLI, MD, MARIA CONCETTA FARGNOLI, MD, AND SERGIO CHIMENTI, MD, HAVE INDICATED NO SIGNIFICANT INTEREST WITH COMMERCIAL SUPPORTERS.

Abstract

Background

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier shown to be effective in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and response durability of imiquimod 5% cream in selected patients with superficial and/or nodular BCCs.

Methods

Seventy-five superficial and 19 nodular BCCs in 49 patients were treated with imiquimod once daily three times a week for up to 12 weeks.

Results

Of the 49 enrolled patients, 1 discontinued the study and 1 was lost to follow-up. After 12 weeks of treatment, a complete response occurred in 70 of 75 (93.3%) superficial BCCs and a partial response in 4 of 75 (5.3%) superficial BCCs. Ten of 19 (52.6%) nodular BCCs cleared after 12 weeks, whereas 7 (36.8%) showed partial remission. Adverse side effects were limited to local skin reactions. Recurrence was observed in 2 of 70 (2.9%) successfully treated superficial BCCs 6 and 8 months after treatment discontinuation. No recurrence was detected in 68 of 70 (97.1%) superficial BCCs and in 10 successfully treated nodular BCCs after 12 to 34 months of follow-up (mean 23 months).

Conclusions

In our patient population, treatment of superficial BCCs with topical imiquimod for 12 weeks produced an excellent clinical response overall, with complete remission maintained after a mean of 23 months.