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Br J Dermatol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

The University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus, Adelaide, South Australia, 5005, Australia.

Furthermore, when conducting meta-analysis by pooling studies, the studies should be analysing the outcome of the same input effect (for ex. in a meta-analysis regarding efficacy of two treatments A & B, you cannot pool the results of a cohort that received treatment A with one that received treatment B, even though the outcome of both cohorts is measured in terms of Risk Ratio). Heppt et al. Read More

Skin Res Technol 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Skin and Venereal Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common premalignant skin lesion that can potentially progress to squamous cell carcinoma. Appropriate long-term management of AK requires close patient monitoring in addition to therapeutic interventions. Computer-aided diagnostic systems based on clinical photography might evolve in the future into valuable adjuncts to AK patient management. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Univ. Lille, INSERM, CHU Lille, U1189 - ONCO-THAI - Image Assisted Laser Therapy for Oncology, F-59000, Lille, France.

Background/purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). Among the approved protocols in Europe, the most widely used involves irradiation with the Aktilite CL 128 (C-PDT). We aimed to assess the heterogeneity of irradiance over the treatment area when using C-PDT. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Mar;80(3):679-684

Department of Dermatology, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Background: There is an opportunity to explore alternate payment models in dermatology.

Objective: To pilot 2 bundled payment models for actinic keratosis (AK) management.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted during September 2013-June 2016. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Dermatology department, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau.

Diagnosis of actinic keratosis (AK) is mainly clinical, but dermoscopy has proven useful in improving diagnostic accuracy. The patterns, structures and colors of AK can vary widely. Lesions may appear as white scales on a pseudo-network pattern, as keratotic plugs on a scaly white to yellow background, or as a strawberry pattern with white to yellow areas and keratotic follicular openings on an erythematous background. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2019 Feb 2. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Dermatology Department, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho EPE, Rua Conceição Fernandes, 4434-502, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

Background: Daylight photodynamic therapy has been reported as having similar efficacy to conventional photodynamic therapy in actinic keratosis treatment.

Methods: 25 patients with actinic keratosis of the scalp and/or face were submitted to a daylight photodynamic therapy session. Adverse reactions were evaluated after one week and efficacy after 3 months. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Laboratory of Phytotherapy, Phytotherapy Technology and Chemistry of Natural Products, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Ponta Grossa, Brazil.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Dermatology, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address:

Br J Dermatol 2019 Feb;180(2):254-255

Department of Dermatology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore.

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.

The incidence of keratinocyte carcinoma (KC), which includes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and actinic keratosis (AK), has steadily increased in the last few decades; moreover, KC is the most common malignancy in Caucasians worldwide. As exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the main risk factor for KC, outdoor workers bear a high risk for KC. Therefore, SCC and AK were officially recognised as occupational diseases in Germany in 2015. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Feb 1. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Frauenlobstr. 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany.

Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a highly effective treatment option for patients with actinic keratoses (AK). However, efficacy can be reduced by insufficient illumination or hyperkeratotic nature of lesions.

Objectives: To investigate if PDT combined with a topical intervention is superior to monotherapy in terms of efficacy and tolerability. Read More

Exp Dermatol 2019 Feb;28 Suppl 1:15-22

Discipline of Dermatology, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin B3 derivative that has many roles in medicine. This review examines the role of nicotinamide in dermatology and its actions in preventing photoageing and skin cancers in humans. Nicotinamide prevents ultraviolet radiation (UV) from reducing ATP levels and inhibiting glycolysis, thus preventing the UV radiation-induced energy crisis. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Dermatological Clinic, Department of Clinical and Molecular sciences, Polytechnic Marche University, Ancona, Italy.

Actinic keratosis (AK) is the most common cutaneous intraepithelial neoplasm that typically develops on sun-damaged skin of elderly patients. Some untreated AK lesions may progress into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (iSCC) (1). Treatments for AKs could be classified in "lesion-directed treatments" including cryotherapy, laser, curettage, and dermabrasion; "field-directed treatments" including imiquimod, PDT, ingenol mebutate, diclofenac and piroxicam (1). Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2019 Jan 25. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Korea. Electronic address:

Cancer Invest 2019 Jan 28:1-12. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

a Department of Dermatology , Kuopio University Hospital, University of Eastern Finland , Kuopio , Finland.

By using immunohistochemistry and antibodies that identify complement C3c (in C3 and C3b) or CD11b receptor, we report that the proportion C3c mast cells and the number of CD11b cells are increased in basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Instead, only CD11b cells are increased in squamous cell carcinoma/Bowen's disease, and only slightly so in actinic keratosis. Only C3c mast cells are increased in psoriasis. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2019 Jan 28. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

The Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital Roskilde, Denmark.

Background: The risk of photoaging and actinic keratosis caused by work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure has not previously been investigated in Nordic countries. The objectives of this study was to describe the occurrence of photoaging, actinic keratosis and keratinocyte cancer in a population of Danish outdoor and indoor workers, and investigate the association between these clinical findings and semi-objective measures of work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure in the same population.

Methods: A clinical cross-sectional study of the occurrence of facial wrinkles, actinic keratosis, keratinocyte cancer and melanocytic nevi in a population of Danish outdoor and indoor workers and associations with semi-objective measures of work related solar ultraviolet radiation exposure based on a combination of dosimetry and self-report. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA; Department of Surgery, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.

Background: Daylight-activated PDT has seen increased support in recent years as a treatment method for actinic keratosis and other non-melanoma skin cancers. The inherent variability observed in broad-spectrum light used in this methodology makes it difficult to plan and monitor light dose, or compare to lamp light doses.

Methods: The present study expands on the commonly used PpIX-weighted effective surface irradiance metric by introducing a Monte Carlo method for estimating effective fluence rates into depths of the skin. Read More

Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Policlinique de Dermatologie, Hôpital Saint Louis, Paris, France.

Chronic exposure to solar radiation is associated with an increased incidence of skin cancer worldwide and more specifically with non-melanoma skin cancers and actinic keratosis. At the cellular level DNA damage is the main event following ultraviolet (UV) exposure. The kind of lesions produced depends on the wavelength and the energy profile of the radiation, with different photoproducts being formed as a result. Read More

Complement Ther Med 2019 Feb 12;42:298-301. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital Costa del Sol, Marbella. Spain.

Objective: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an effective treatment against skin field cancerization. Its main side effect is local inflammation in the treated area. The phenolic compound oleocanthal (decarboxy methyl ligstroside aglycone), which is present in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), has anti-inflammatory properties. Read More

J Neurooncol 2019 Feb 18;141(3):595-607. Epub 2019 Jan 18.

Brain Tumor Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a two-step treatment involving the administration of a photosensitive agent followed by its activation at a specific light wavelength for targeting of tumor cells.

Materials/methods: A comprehensive review of the literature was performed to analyze the indications for PDT, mechanisms of action, use of different photosensitizers, the immunomodulatory effects of PDT, and both preclinical and clinical studies for use in high-grade gliomas (HGGs).

Results: PDT has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of premalignant and malignant diseases, such as actinic keratoses, Barrett's esophagus, esophageal cancers, and endobronchial non-small cell lung cancers, as well as for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization. Read More

Transplant Proc 2019 Jan - Feb;51(1):184-186. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Unit for Liver Transplant Management (SATTE), AORN Sant'Anna e San Sebastiano, Caserta, Italy.

Annual dermatologic examination is required in all transplant recipients because of the high risk of skin cancers. Nevertheless, if the transplant recipient is merely advised to have a dermatologic consultation, the adherence usually appears to be poor. We analyzed our population of liver transplant recipients in 2 periods: in 2014 (group 1) and in 2016 (group 2), when we had organized the presence of a dermatologist at scheduled intervals to annually examine the entire liver transplant population we actively follow-up. Read More

J Biophotonics 2019 Jan 17:e201800391. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital Munich, Munich, Germany.

Actinic keratosis (AKs) corresponds to the earliest stage of in-situ squamous cell carcinoma and arises on chronically sun-exposed skin. Around the clinically evident AKs, the apparently healthy epidermis may contain different grades of atypia that can be detected by non-invasive imaging techniques such as reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Subclinical actinic keratosis (sAKs) have captured increasing interest as a potential target of field therapies. Read More

J Dermatolog Treat 2019 Jan 16:1-37. Epub 2019 Jan 16.

b Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Brooklyn , NY , USA.

Introduction: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the application of a topical photosensitizer, irradiation with light, and oxygen to produce cytotoxic reactive oxygen species that selectively destroy damaged cells while leaving normal skin intact. Topical PDT is a commonly used treatment for non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) due to its excellent clearance rate and cosmetic outcomes. However, PDT is emerging as an off-label treatment modality for many dermatological conditions. Read More

Dermatol Surg 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Dermatology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Virginia Clinical Research, Inc., Norfolk, Virginia.

Background: Blue-light aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy (ALA-PDT) after broad-area application and 3-hour incubation is efficacious for actinic keratosis (AK) lesion clearance on upper extremities, with use of occlusive dressing significantly increasing efficacy.

Objective: To prove the safety and efficacy of ALA-PDT versus vehicle (VEH-PDT) in the spot treatment of multiple AKs on upper extremities.

Methods: Aminolevulinic acid or VEH was spot applied only to lesions on one upper extremity 3 hours before blue-light exposure. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2019 Jan 14:e12822. Epub 2019 Jan 14.

Department of Dermatology of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou Red Cross Hospital, the Medical College, JiNan University, Guangzhou, China.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with that of other treatments of actinic keratosis (AK).

Methods: A systematic literature review of five databases (including Medline and EMBASE) was first performed to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A network meta-analysis (NMA) based on a random-effects Bayesian model was then performed on the outcomes for patients with total clearance and lesions reduced from baseline. Read More

Curr Pharm Des 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidade de Brasília, Brasília. Brazil.

Diterpenes present complex structure and due to their unique carbon skeleton and interesting biological activities, have been the focus of continuous studies for the development of new anticancer agents. Phorbol esters have been known for their activity against skin malignancies since ancient times. Taxol was first studied in melanoma cells, and recently ingenol mebutate has been approved for the chemoprevention of melanoma in actinic keratosis patients. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 Jan 12. Epub 2019 Jan 12.

Erasmus Medical Centre Cancer Institute, Department of Dermatology, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: The high prevalence of actinic keratosis (AK) requires optimal use of healthcare resources.

Objectives: To gain insight in health care utilization and management of AK, by describing the healthcare utilization of people with AK in a population-based cohort and in a primary and secondary care setting.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using three complementary data sources was conducted to describe the use of care, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of AK patients in the Netherlands. Read More

Cancers (Basel) 2019 Jan 10;11(1). Epub 2019 Jan 10.

European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a light activated drug therapy that can be used to treat a number of dermatological cancers and precancers. Improvement of efficacy is required to widen its application. Clinical protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence data were obtained using a pre-validated, non-invasive imaging system during routine methyl aminolevulinate (MAL)-PDT treatment of 172 patients with licensed dermatological indications (37. Read More

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Dept. of Dermatology and Allergology, Klinikum Vest GmbH, Recklinghausen, Germany.

Background: The efficacy and safety of methyl aminolevulinate daylight photodynamic therapy (MAL DL-PDT) for actinic keratosis (AK) treatment has previously been demonstrated in several studies.

Objective: To evaluate patient reported outcomes, effectiveness and tolerability of patient self-applied MAL DL-PDT.

Patients And Methods: An open study was conducted in Germany in patients with thin or non-hyperkeratotic and non-pigmented AK. Read More

Transpl Int 2019 Jan 10. Epub 2019 Jan 10.

Department of Virology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

To date 14 human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) have been identified. The newly found HPyVs have not been examined with regard to post-transplant skin carcinogenesis. To determine the occurrences in skin and possible pathological associations of the HPyVs, we studied their genoprevalences in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ or actinic keratosis and benign skin in liver transplant recipients (LiTRs); and of healthy skin in immunocompetent adults. Read More

Postepy Dermatol Alergol 2018 Dec 13;35(6):626-630. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland.

Introduction: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a common age-associated dermatosis typical for skin with photo-ageing features. Actinic keratosis lesions transform into invasive squamous cell carcinoma, if left untreated, but inductive factors remain unknown. A role of prostaglandins in the neoplastic process has been postulated. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2019 Jan;180(1):11-12

Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergy, Division of Evidence-Based Medicine (dEBM), Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2018 Dec 28. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Department of Dermatology, Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2018 Dec 24:1-12. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

a UGC Centre of Advanced Studies , University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University , Chandigarh , India.

Introduction: Actinic keratosis is one of the most common disorder characterized by erythematic and generally attached scaly lesions which are present either alone or in clusters. World Health Organization defines actinic keratosis as a common intraepidermal neoplasm of sun-damaged skin, characterized by variable atypia of keratinocytes. Area covered: At the beginning of the 20th century, a new immunomodulator molecule, imiquimod, appears in the market for the treatment of actinic keratosis but suffers from the pitfalls of the conventional approach of dosage form preparation including high dose, poor stability and more side effects. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Background: Skin lesions are very common among organ transplant recipients (OTR), particularly infections and tumors, because of the immunosuppressive state these patients are put in.

Methods: 177 OTR were examined. Skin lesions were categorized into neoplastic, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. Read More

Int J Dermatol 2018 Dec 18. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Dermatology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Background: Lichen planus-like keratosis (LPLK) is a frequent skin lesion usually biopsied to rule out basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Because of overlapping histopathological characteristics, LPLK is frequently muddled with lichen planus (LP), lichenoid actinic keratosis (LAK), and lupus erythematosus (LE).

Objective: To investigate the clinical and histopathological characteristics of LPLK. Read More

Dermatol Ther 2018 Dec 6:e12800. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

DISSAL Section of Dermatology, University of Genoa-IRCCS, AOU San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and its metabolic product prostaglandin E (PGE ) are induced in response to growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, tumour promoters, activated oncogenes and, in the skin, ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Accumulating evidence suggests a role for the COX-2/PGE pathway in tumourigenesis in various tissue types including cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. There is also strong evidence for a role in the development of actinic keratoses (AKs) - common dysplastic lesions of the skin associated with UV radiation overexposure - considered as part of a continuum with skin cancer. Read More

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Dermatology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Background: Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) phototherapy is a widely used treatment for various dermatoses. The risk of skin cancer following long-term NB-UVB phototherapy has rarely been explored in skin phototypes III-V.

Methods: We conducted a nationwide-matched cohort study and identified a total of 22 891 psoriasis patients starting NB-UVB phototherapy from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database during the period 2000-2013. Read More

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Dermatology Service, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA. Electronic address:

Background: There is lack of uniformity in reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) terminology for non-melanocytic lesions (NMLs).

Objective: To review published RCM terms for NMLs and identify likely-synonymous terms.

Methods: Systematic review of original research articles adhering to PRISMA guidelines was conducted until August 19, 2017. Read More

Photodiagnosis Photodyn Ther 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Dermatology Department, Ramón y Cajal Hospital, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address:

Background: Daylight photodynamic therapy (dlPDT) is a painless and increasingly cost-effective treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). New protocols avoid incubation minimizing pain and adverse events. However, it is time-consuming and dependent on specific weather conditions. Read More

Rev Prat 2017 12;67(10):1084-1088

Service de gériatrie - plaies et cicatrisation, hôpital Rothschild, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France.

Actinic keratosis and squamous cell carcinoma in the elderly. The increase in life expectancy and the change in the habits of the population with respect to UV exposure have led to an increase in the incidence of actinic keratosis (AK) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). There is no specific recommendation for the "frail" elderly, but they would not differ much from the recommendations of the younger subjects. Read More

J Healthc Qual Res 2018 Nov - Dec;33(6):360-369. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Universidad Miguel Hernández, Elche, España; Departamento de Salud Alicante Sant Joan, Alicante, España; Red de Investigación en Servicios de Salud en Enfermedades Crónicas (REDISSEC), España.

Objective: To analyse barriers limiting an integral approach in the care process of patients with actinic keratosis, and to validate a questionnaire of their perception in order to assess this approach.

Method: A qualitative study (Focus Group) was conducted to assess the perception of the healthcare process of professionals (dermatologists, family doctors, nurses, pharmacists and managers), and patients. A validation study of a new tool was conducted, defining the scope and contents of a questionnaire of perceived quality. Read More

An Bras Dermatol 2018 Nov/Dec;93(6):916-928

Board of directors of the Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia, Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Brasil.

Background: Dermatological diseases are among the primary causes of the demand for basic health care. Studies on the frequency of dermatoses are important for the proper management of health planning.

Objectives: To evaluate the nosological and behavioral profiles of dermatological consultations in Brazil. Read More

Med Sci Monit 2018 Nov 27;24:8583-8591. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Dermatology, Tongren Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China (mainland).

BACKGROUND UV-related skin disease such as actinic keratosis is a major concern in public health. In view of the cell injury induced by UVB, Klotho protein it is an ideal therapy to eliminate UVB-induced cell damages and the associated signaling pathways. MATERIAL AND METHODS To gain insights into the potential role of Klotho and the underlying molecular mechanism, we constructed a Klotho-overexpress HaCaT cell line and assessed the protection against UVB insults. Read More

Dermatol Pract Concept 2018 Oct 31;8(4):322-323. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

First Department of Dermatology, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Genes Chromosomes Cancer 2019 03 7;58(3):164-174. Epub 2019 Jan 7.

Department of Dermatology, Hospital del Mar, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain.

Although most cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (cSCCs) develop from actinic keratoses (AKs), the key events in this evolution remain unclear. We have combined the results of different genomic and expression array platforms on matched concomitant samples of sun-exposed skin (SES), AK, and cSCC from 10 immunocompetent patients. Gene expression analysis and copy number alterations were assessed using GeneChip Human Gene 2. Read More

Actas Dermosifiliogr 2018 Nov 17. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Centro de Dermatología «Dona Libânia», Fortaleza, Brasil.

J Am Acad Dermatol 2018 Nov 17. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California; Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.

Background: The effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil compared with that of imiquimod for preventing keratinocyte carcinoma is unknown.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil and that of imiquimod in preventing keratinocyte carcinoma in a real-world practice setting.

Methods: We identified 5700 subjects who filled prescriptions for 5-fluorouracil or imiquimod for treatment of actinic keratosis in 2007. Read More

Br J Dermatol 2018 Nov 17. Epub 2018 Nov 17.

Department of Dermatology and Allergy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Frauenlobstraße 9-11, 80337, Munich, Germany.

Background: Actinic keratoses (AKs) are early in situ carcinomas of the skin caused by cumulative sun exposure. Cryosurgery is an easy and practicable lesion-directed approach for treatment of isolated lesions.

Objectives: To investigate whether an upfront combination of cryosurgery with a topical intervention is superior to cryosurgery alone for treatment of AK. Read More

G Ital Dermatol Venereol 2018 Nov 9. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Dermatology and Venereology Department, General Hospital, Alessandria, Italy -

Background: Actinic keratosis (AK), a hyperkeratotic lesion induced by solar exposure, is the precancerous lesion that most frequently develops into squamous cell carcinoma. Cryotherapy, topical fluorouracil 5, topical diclofenac 3% gel and, more recently, ingenol mebutate are used in addition to surgery. However, these treatments have varying degrees of effectiveness and are not always tolerated due to side effects. Read More