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Basal Cell Carcinomas Show High Response Rate to Curettage Plus Imiquimod 5% Treatment: Presented at AAD

By Bruce Sylvester

WASHINGTON, DC -- February 5, 2007 -- Curettage followed by 6 weeks of imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara) therapy 5 days a week is effective for treating basal cell carcinoma, with a 97% clearance rate achieved at 36 months of follow up.

Researchers reported this finding here February 3^rd at the 65^th annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). The research was highlighted by the AAD in a special session of distinguished research poster presentations.

"This method of treating basal cell carcinomas is safe and effective," said presenter and investigator Marianne Carroll, DO, dermatologist, Genesys Regional Medical Center, Grand Blanc, Michigan. "Application site reactions were well tolerated and resolved following cessation of treatment."

Dr. Carroll and colleagues enrolled 90 patients with 101 histologically-confirmed basal cell carcinomas. The median age of subjects was 71.9 years, with a range of 34 to 94 years. Men made up 71% of the cohort. All subjects reported a history of basal cell carcinomas (mean 5.3 prior tumors; range 1-37).

The majority of the basal cells were superficial nodular (mean size 1.01 mm; range 0.3 mm to 2.0 mm), and 43% of them were located in high-risk areas.

The investigators treated each lesion with curettage, attempting to remove all remaining tumor. They used electrodessication primarily for hemostasis.

Ten days after curettage, the investigators applied imiquimod 5% cream daily, 5 days a week for 6 weeks.

They examined and photographed all subjects at the initial visit, at weeks 2 and 6 and every 3 months thereafter. They evaluated treated areas for response to the imiquimod 5% cream and graded reactions as mild, moderate or severe.

The authors noted that all subjects had some reaction to imiquimod, ranging from mild to severe. Patients with severe reactions were allowed rest periods in the course of treatment.

Suspicious tumors were rebiopsied 3 months after curettage and at any time during the remaining follow-up period. Out of 27 rebiopsied areas, 3 had recurrent disease.

"There were no issues with side effects, as patients were allowed to have rest periods if necessary. However, this did not extend the 6-week treatment period," the authors wrote in their poster.

Printing and production costs for the poster were paid for by a grant from 3M Pharmaceuticals.


[Presentation title: Clinical Experience of Combination Therapy of Imiquimod 5% Cream With Curettement for the Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinomas. Poster 8]

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