Imiquimod 2.5% and 3.75% for the treatment of actinic keratoses: Results of two placebo-controlled studies of daily application to the face and balding scalp for two 3-week cycles

2010 
Background Imiquimod 5% cream is approved as a 16-week regimen for the treatment of actinic keratoses involving a 25-cm 2 area of skin. Objective We sought to evaluate imiquimod 2.5% and 3.75% creams for short-course treatment of the entire face and scalp. Methods In two identical studies, adults with 5 to 20 lesions were randomized to placebo, or imiquimod 2.5% or 3.75% cream (1:1:1). Up to two packets (250 mg each) were applied per dose once daily for two 3-week treatment cycles, with a 3-week, no-treatment interval. Efficacy was assessed at 8 weeks posttreatment. Results In all, 490 subjects were randomized to placebo, or imiquimod 2.5% or 3.75% cream. Median baseline lesion counts for the treatment groups were 9 to 10. Complete and partial clearance rates were 5.5% and 12.8% for placebo, 25.0% and 42.7% for imiquimod 2.5%, and 34.0% and 53.7% for imiquimod 3.75% ( P P  = .034, 3.75% vs 2.5% for partial clearance). Median reductions from baseline in lesion count were 23.6%, 66.7%, and 80.0% for the placebo, imiquimod 2.5%, and imiquimod 3.75% groups, respectively ( P Limitations Local effects of imiquimod, including erythema, may have led to investigator and subject bias. Conclusions Both imiquimod 2.5% and 3.75% creams were more effective than placebo and had an acceptable safety profile when administered daily as a 3-week on/off/on regimen.
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