Current Clinical Trials

Actinic keratosis commonly appears in regions of chronic sun exposure such as the face and dorsa of the hands. Actinic cheilitis is a related condition that usually appears on the lower lips.[1] These conditions represent early epithelial transformation that may eventually evolve into invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis is a premalignant condition that should be treated with one of the methods available.[2]

Treatment options:

1. Topical agents:
   • Fluorouracil (5-FU): Treats the clinically obvious disease as well as regions of subclinical involvement.
   • Imiquimod 5% cream.[3-5]
   • Diclofenac sodium 3% gel.
   • Trichloroacetic acid.
   • Phenol.
2. Cryosurgery.
3. Electrodesiccation and curettage.
4. Dermabrasion.
5. Shave excision.
6. Carbon dioxide laser.
7. Photodynamic therapy.

Check for U.S. clinical trials from NCI's PDQ Cancer Clinical Trials Registry that are now accepting patients with actinic keratosis ¹. The list of clinical trials can be further narrowed by location, drug, intervention, and other criteria.

General information about clinical trials is also available from the NCI Web site ².

References

1. Picascia DD, Robinson JK: Actinic cheilitis: a review of the etiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment. J Am Acad Dermatol 17 (2 Pt 1): 255-64, 1987.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
2. Preston DS, Stern RS: Nonmelanoma cancers of the skin. N Engl J Med 327 (23): 1649-62, 1992.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
3. Lebwohl M, Dinehart S, Whiting D, et al.: Imiquimod 5% cream for the treatment of actinic keratosis: results from two phase III, randomized, double-blind, parallel group, vehicle-controlled trials. J Am Acad Dermatol 50 (5): 714-21, 2004.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
4. Tran H, Chen K, Shumack S: Summary of actinic keratosis studies with imiquimod 5% cream. Br J Dermatol 149 (Suppl 66): 37-9, 2003.  [PUBMED Abstract]
   
   
5. Lee PK, Harwell WB, Loven KH, et al.: Long-term clinical outcomes following treatment of actinic keratosis with imiquimod 5% cream. Dermatol Surg 31 (6): 659-64, 2005.  [PUBMED Abstract]