Topical combination therapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ with 5-fluorouracil cream and imiquimod cream in patients who have failed topical monotherapy

J Am Acad Dermatol. 2006 Dec;55(6):1092-4. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2006.06.031. Epub 2006 Sep 6.

Abstract

Topical therapeutic options for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ include 5-fluorouracil cream and imiquimod cream. Such treatment may be preferable to surgical or destructive modalities in certain anatomic locations and in instances where patients are unwilling or poor surgical candidates. We present 4 such patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ involving a digit. Each patient failed treatment with imiquimod cream as monotherapy. In addition, two patients failed treatment with 5-fluorouracil cream as monotherapy. All 4 responded completely to 5-fluorouracil and imiquimod cream as combination therapy. In patients who have failed monotherapy with a topical agent for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ, combination treatment using both topical 5-fluorouracil cream and imiquimod cream may be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Cutaneous
  • Aged
  • Aminoquinolines / administration & dosage
  • Aminoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / drug therapy*
  • Cytokines / physiology
  • Drug Evaluation
  • Drug Synergism
  • Fingers*
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Fluorouracil / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Imiquimod
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ointments
  • Prodrugs / pharmacokinetics
  • Remission Induction
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Aminoquinolines
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Cytokines
  • Ointments
  • Prodrugs
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8
  • Imiquimod
  • Fluorouracil