Randomized comparison of photodynamic therapy with topical 5-fluorouracil in Bowen's disease

Efficacy of interventions for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease): A systematic review and meta-analysis of proportions

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (Bowen's disease) is a precancerous condition confined to the epidermis of the skin. Despite the critical need for effective interventions to halt its progression, there remains a notable shortage of comprehensive data comparing the efficacy of various therapeutic approaches.

OBJECTIVES

This systematic review and meta-analysis endeavour to compare the different efficacies of interventions by investigating and synthesizing data from numerous trials.

METHODS

A pre-defined protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021242224, registration date: 16 April 2021). Systematic searches in Medline, Embase and Central, along with manual trial register searches, identified studies reporting lesion clearance rates (LCR), participant clearance rates (PCR) or recurrence rates (date of last search: 12 June 2024). Quality assessment followed guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). After the study arms were categorized into treatment groups and groups of study quality, the proportions were pooled using the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) as meta-analytical method.

RESULTS

A comprehensive inclusion of 71 studies facilitated an evaluation of 3783 lesions for LCR, 1225 patients for PCR, 4073 lesions for lesion recurrence rates (LRR) and 740 patients for participant recurrence rates (PRR). Surgery demonstrated the highest LCR and PCR (0.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.90-0.99) and the lowest LRR (0.04, 95% CI: 0.02-0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides a thorough overview of reported efficacy outcomes for practice-relevant interventions for Bowen's disease. Surgery outperformed other treatments for Bowen's disease. For the other intervention groups, it was not possible to show clear differences in effectiveness: LCR, PCR, LRR and PRR showed various treatment rankings, and the comparability was restricted by different numbers of studies between treatment groups and outcome measures, methodical and clinical heterogeneity. Further high-quality studies are needed to investigate practice-relevant interventions for Bowen's disease.

Bowen's disease revealing a penile invasive squamous cell carcinoma: Case report and review of literature

INTRODUCTION

Bowen's disease (BD) represents an in situ squamous cell carcinoma that can progress to an invasive one without treatment. Various options for Bowen's disease have been delineated, each with its set of advantages and disadvantages.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 60-year-old patient with a history of chronic smoking and a background of multiple partners and recurrent urethritis. The patient presented with a maculopapular lesion on the lateral aspect of the penis, evolving for 5 years. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of Bowen's disease. The patient underwent an excision of the lesion which the histology showed an infiltrating basosquamous cell carcinoma.

DISCUSSION

The diagnosis of Bowen's disease requires a biopsy and is based on histological examination. Only surgical treatment allows for the identification, through histological analysis of the excised specimen, of any potential invasive area that may not have been identified in the biopsy. Nonsurgical therapies are also an option with high recurrence rates.

CONCLUSION

Bowen's disease management requires a personalized approach, considering factors like lesion characteristics, patient-related variables and treatment efficacy. An adapted follow-up is recommended due to the recurrence risk associated with various treatments.

Assessing outcomes of topical 5-fluorouracil as primary and adjuvant therapy for squamous cell carcinoma in-situ

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in-situ (SCCis) is an intraepithelial tumor with a good prognosis. Standard treatment includes both surgical and non-surgical interventions. We determined the clearance rate for SCCis and residual SCCis identified on frozen section during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) after treatment with topical fluorouracil 5% cream (5-FU). All MMS cases were initiated for biopsy-proven invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). A retrospective chart review was conducted from January 2017-February 2024 at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) to identify patients with SCCis who were treated with topical 5-FU as primary therapy or adjuvant therapy (AT) for residual SCCis post-MMS for invasive SCC. 41 patients were included (80% males, 70.1 ± 11.8 years). The average follow-up time for the primary therapy group was 25.4 ± 12.8 months, and for the post-MMS AT group 22.5 ± 11.1 months. In the group treated with topical 5-FU as primary therapy (n = 28), 27 patients (96.43%, 95% confidence interval: 81.65-99.91%) achieved complete clearance. One patient had recurrence at 8 months post-treatment. Of the patients in the post-MMS adjuvant treatment group (n = 13), 12 (92.3% clearance, 95% confidence interval 63.97-99.81%) achieved complete clearance. One patient had recurrence at 8 months post-treatment. This study found that topical 5-FU cream is effective as both primary therapy for SCCis and as adjuvant therapy for residual SCCis following MMS of invasive SCC.

Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: An Updated Review

Representing the second most common skin cancer, the incidence and disease burden of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) continues to increase. Surgical excision of the primary site effectively cures the majority of cSCC cases. However, an aggressive subset of cSCC persists with clinicopathological features that are indicative of higher recurrence, metastasis, and mortality risks. Acceleration of these features is driven by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The past several years have seen remarkable progress in shaping the treatment landscape for advanced cSCC. Risk stratification and clinical management is a top priority. This review provides an overview of the current perspectives on cSCC with a focus on staging, treatment, and maintenance strategies, along with future research directions.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a GRADE approach for evidence evaluation and recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) accounts for ∼20%-25% of all skin tumors. Its precise incidence is often challenging to determine due to limited statistics and its incorporation with mucosal forms. While most cases have a favorable prognosis, challenges arise in patients presenting with locally advanced or metastatic forms, mainly appearing in immunocompromised patients, solid organ transplantation recipients, or those facing social difficulties. Traditionally, chemotherapy and targeted therapy were the mainstays for advanced cases, but recent approvals of immunotherapeutic agents like cemiplimab and pembrolizumab have revolutionized treatment options. These guidelines, developed by the Italian Association of Medical Oncologists (AIOM) using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) approach, aim to guide clinicians in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring patients with CSCC, covering key aspects from primitive tumors to advanced stages, selected by a panel of experts selected by AIOM and other national scientific societies. The incorporation of these guidelines into clinical practice is expected to enhance patient care and address the evolving landscape of CSCC management.

Effects of 5-aminolevulinic acid photodynamic therapy for cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions with HR-HPV infections

Objective

To determine the effectiveness and safety of 5-aminolevulinic acid mediated photodynamic therapy (5-ALA PDT) in HR-HPV infected patients with cervical low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and to explore possible factors affecting treatment outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study included 96 patients with histologically confirmed cervical LSIL and high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. They received 5-ALA PDT treatment once a week for a total of 3 courses. All patients were evaluated by cytology tests, HPV DNA assay, colposcopy, and biopsy at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months checkpoint. The chi-square test were used to evaluate the differences in various clinical data, and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

At 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months checkpoint, colposcopies showed that the cervical iodine-unstained area under VILI (visual inspection with Lugol's iodine) significantly reduced (p < 0.01) with no structure changes. At 3 months and 6 months checkpoint, the pathological regression rate reached 87.5% (84/96) and 94.79% (91/96), while the HR-HPV clearance rates reached 80.21% (77/96) and 93.75% (90/96) respectively. We also examined the efficacy in the HPV 16/18-related group and non-HPV 16/18-related group. The HR-HPV clearance rate in the HPV16/18 group [94.87% (37/39)] was significantly higher than that of the non-HPV 16/18 group [70.17% (40/57)]. However, at 6 months after treatment, the clearance rate of the HPV 16/18 group [94.87% (37/39)] showed no statistical difference from the non-HPV 16/18 group [92.30% (53/57)].

Conclusion

Topical 5-ALA PDT can effectively eliminate HR-HPV infection and treat low-grade cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions, it offers an alternative treatment option for patients with LSIL, especially for those with fertility requirements and who wish to preserve cervical structure or function.

Clinical Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil and Bleomycin in Dermatology

Bleomycin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are widely used in various dermatological disorders. Both drugs are well-recognized as antineoplastic drugs and exert their effect by blocking the cell cycle. Topical and intralesional formulations are available and have been studied in both non-neoplastic and cancerous lesions. However, data comparing the effect of bleomycin and 5-FU in the dermatological disorders are limited. This review outlines the action mechanisms of both drugs and compares their clinical efficacies in a wide range of dermatologic diseases including hypertrophic scar, wart, skin cancer, vascular malformation, hemangioma, and vitiligo, and discusses the overall safety of the drugs. Intralesional bleomycin treatment is effective in hypertrophic scars and warts, but intralesional 5-FU may also be considered since it is cheaper and less painful. Moreover, intralesional 5-FU and bleomycin injection is a viable option for premalignant lesions (i.e., actinic keratosis) and inoperable skin cancers. Both bleomycin and 5-FU have been applied as treatment adjuncts for vitiligo, with 5-FU showing a slightly better outcome. Both agents have a good safety profile, and no serious side effects have been reported following their use in the field of dermatology.

Surgical excision versus topical 5% 5-fluorouracil and photodynamic therapy in treatment of Bowen's disease: A multicenter randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Randomized controlled trials comparing the effectiveness of 5-fluorouracil cream, methylaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) and surgical excision in patients with Bowen's disease are lacking.

METHODS

In this multicenter noninferiority trial, patients with a histologically proven Bowen's disease of 4-40 mm were randomly assigned to excision with 5 mm margin, 5% 5-fluorouracil cream twice daily for 4 weeks, or 2 sessions of MAL-PDT with 1 week interval. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with sustained clearance at 12 months after treatment. A noninferiority margin of 22% was used.

RESULTS

Between May 2019 and January 2021, 250 patients were randomized. The proportion of patients with sustained clearance was 97.4% (75/77) after excision, 85.7% (66/77) after 5-fluorouracil, and 82.1% (64/78) after MAL-PDT. Absolute differences were -11.7% (95% CI -18.9 to -4.5; P = .0049) for 5-fluorouracil versus excision and -15.4% (95% CI -23.1 to -7.6; P = .00078) for MAL-PDT versus excision. Both noninvasive treatments significantly more often led to good or excellent cosmetic outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on our predefined noninferiority margin of 22%, 5-fluorourcail is noninferior to excision and associated with better cosmetic outcome. For MAL-PDT noninferiority to excision cannot be concluded. Therefore, 5-fluorouracil should be preferred over excision and MAL-PDT in treatment of Bowen's disease.

Cryosurgery versus curettage for intraepidermal carcinoma: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cryosurgery is a common destructive treatment method for intraepidermal carcinoma (IEC) above the knee. Curettage alone is a simple, non-aggressive and inexpensive treatment method commonly used on benign skin lesions. However, only one study has assessed curettage for treatment of IEC.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to (1) compare the effectiveness of cryosurgery (standard method) to curettage (experimental method) for treatment of IEC in regard to overall clearance rates at 1-year follow-up, and (2) investigate whether wound healing times differed between the treatment groups.

METHODS

In this randomized and controlled, non-inferiority trial, adult patients with one or more IEC with a diameter of 5-20 mm, located above the knee and suitable for destructive treatment were recruited from Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Gothenburg, Sweden). Lesions were randomized to treatment with either cryosurgery or curettage. Wound healing was assessed by a nurse after 4-6 weeks and through self-report forms. Overall clearance was assessed by a dermatologist after 1 year.

RESULTS

In total, 183 lesions in 147 patients were included, with 93 lesions randomized to cryosurgery and 90 to curettage. Eighty-eight (94.6%) of the lesions in the cryosurgery group and 71 (78.9%) in the curettage group showed an overall clearance at the 1-year follow-up visit (p = 0.002). The non-inferiority analysis was inconclusive. Curettage resulted in both shorter self-reported wound healing times (mean time 3.1 vs. 4.8 weeks, p < 0.001) and a larger proportion of healed wounds after 4-6 weeks (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Cryosurgery and curettage both result in high clearance rates for treatment of IEC, but cryosurgery is significantly more effective. On the other hand, curettage may result in shorter wound healing times.

Skin cancer: understanding the journey of transformation from conventional to advanced treatment approaches

Skin cancer is a global threat to the healthcare system and is estimated to incline tremendously in the next 20 years, if not diagnosed at an early stage. Even though it is curable at an early stage, novel drug identification, clinical success, and drug resistance is another major challenge. To bridge the gap and bring effective treatment, it is important to understand the etiology of skin carcinoma, the mechanism of cell proliferation, factors affecting cell growth, and the mechanism of drug resistance. The current article focusses on understanding the structural diversity of skin cancers, treatments available till date including phytocompounds, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, surgery, combination therapy, molecular targets associated with cancer growth and metastasis, and special emphasis on nanotechnology-based approaches for downregulating the deleterious disease. A detailed analysis with respect to types of nanoparticles and their scope in overcoming multidrug resistance as well as associated clinical trials has been discussed.

Safety and efficacy of adjunctive therapy in the treatment of odontogenic keratocyst: a systematic review

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a common cystic lesion in the jaw. Its management, however, is highly debated with no consensus on the best treatment option. Clinicians base their approach on treatment efficacy and associated morbidity. Management often consists of enucleation with peripheral ostectomy and adjunctive therapy to prevent recurrence. The aim of our systematic review was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these different modalities. Embase, Medline, and Cochrane were searched according to the PRISMA guidelines for articles that presented non-syndromic patients with histopathologically confirmed OKC treated with 5-fluorouracil (5FU), Carnoy's solution (CS), or modified Carnoy's solution (MCS) as adjunctive therapy after enucleation and peripheral ostectomy. The outcomes of interest were safety (measured as adverse events) and efficacy (expressed as recurrence). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Four studies were included and 62 patients were evaluated. The results show that recurrence occurred only in patients treated with MCS. Reported adverse events were mostly limited to paraesthesia that could be permanent (in the CS and MCS treatment groups) or transient (across all adjunctive therapies). With the prohibition of CS, both MCS and 5FU are promising replacement adjunctive therapies. From a safety and efficacy perspective we consider 5FU, which was associated with the lowest recurrence and fewest adverse events, to be the most viable option. More high-evidence prospective studies, such as randomised controlled trials, with a longer follow-up period are necessary to draw definite conclusions.

Photodynamic therapy for skin carcinomas: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly used for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, it is unknown whether photodynamic therapy is more effective than other commonly used treatment modalities for these cancers.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the relative efficacy and safety of PDT compared with placebo or other interventions for the treatment of skin carcinomas.

Methods

Searches were performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the PDT with other interventions in adults skin BCC or SCC that reported on lesion response, recurrence, cosmetic appearance, or safety outcomes.

Results

Seventeen unique randomized controlled trials, representing 22 study arms from 21 publications were included. The included trials included 2,166 participants, comparing methyl aminolevulinic (MAL) PDT (six studies) or aminolevulinic acid (ALA) PDT (two studies). Comparators included placebo, surgery, hexaminolevulinic (HAL) PDT, erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet ablative factional laser (YAG-AFL) PDT, fluorouracil, and imiquimod. There were few studies available for each comparison. Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects risk ratios were calculated for response, recurrence, cosmetic outcomes, and adverse events. MAL-PDT had similar response rates to surgery, ALA-PDT, fluorouracil and imiquimod at 3- and 12 months post-intervention. The rate of recurrence was similar, showing few differences at 12 months, but at later time points (24-60 months), fewer lesions recurred with surgery and imiquimod than with PDT. PDT also caused more adverse events and pain than other interventions. However, PDT treatment was more likely to receive a "good" or "excellent" rating for cosmetic appearance than surgery or cryotherapy.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrates that the choice of treatment modality for BCC or SCC is best chosen in the context of the location and size of the lesion, the socioeconomic circumstances of the patient, as well as the patient's preferences. We call for more high quality studies to be done, in order to enable more reliable interpretations of the data.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=368626, identifier CRD42022368626.

Advances in Topical Treatments of Cutaneous Malignancies

Surgical excision has been the preferred treatment for cutaneous malignancies, but can be affected by various considerations. Noninvasive, self-administered topical treatments represent an alternative option. The aim of this review was to evaluate and summarize evidence-based recommendations for topical treatments of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), in situ melanoma (MIS), and extramammary Paget's disease (EMPD). Studies were reviewed on PubMed. Included studies were summarized, assessed for biases, and assigned a level of evidence to develop treatment recommendations. For the treatment of superficial BCC, complete clearance rates ranged from 90 to 93% for 5% 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 71 to 76% for imiquimod (IMQ). For the treatment of nodular BCC, clearance rates for photodynamic therapy (PDT) were 91% at 3 months, with a sustained lesion clearance response rate of 76% after 5 years of follow-up. Clearance rates were 53 to 76% with IMQ. For squamous cell carcinoma in situ, clearance rates ranged from 52 to 98% for PDT, 67 to 92% for 5-FU, and 75 to 93% for IMQ. For MIS, clearance rates ranged from 53 to 92% for IMQ. For EMPD, 54% of 110 patients in cohort studies and case series had a clinical complete response with IMQ. While surgical intervention remains the standard of care for skin cancer, non-invasive, self-administered topical treatments are highly desirable alternative options. Ultimately, the patient and provider should find a treatment modality that aligns with the patient's expectations and maintenance of quality of life.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Situ of the Nail Unit: Current Evidence and Recommendations for Patient Centered Treatment

Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the hand and nail is an infrequent tumor but represents the majority of hand and nail malignancies. While the conventional treatments of invasive nail unit squamous cell carcinoma include Mohs micrographic surgery, wide local excision, or distal digit amputation, no standardized management paradigm for in situ disease exists and the necessity of surgical options is debated. This review aims to discuss the most commonly reported treatment methods and critically assess relevant management considerations in order to facilitate appropriate treatment decisions for nail unit SCCis across dermatologic practice settings. Assessment of the current literature reveals insufficient evidence to determine a standardized treatment for nail unit squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Rather, management is greatly impacted by multiple factors including the presence of subungual involvement, surgical candidacy, importance of curative treatment, and patient preferences regarding cosmesis and function versus cure. When cure is desired, Mohs micrographic surgery is the treatment of choice in most cases. In the setting of desired curative intent, but poor surgical candidacy, radiotherapy may be effective and provide a reasonable chance of functional and cosmetic preservation. Other methods including photodynamic therapy, electrodesiccation and curettage, cryotherapy, and intralesional chemotherapeutics may be appropriate in specific circumstances, but are generally limited by lack of evidence or impracticalities. Lastly, observation with palliation may be appropriate when considering exceedingly rare disease-related mortality.

Immunomodulators for Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Updated Perspectives

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common cancers worldwide and may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality, especially in immunosuppressed populations. Successful management of NMSC must take primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies into consideration. In response to an improved understanding of the pathophysiology of NMSC and associated risk factors, multiple systemic and topical immunomodulatory drugs have been developed and integrated into clinical practice. Many of these drugs are efficacious in the prevention and treatment of precursor lesions (actinic keratoses; AKs), low-risk NMSC, and advanced disease. The identification of patients at high risk for the development of NMSC is critical in reducing disease morbidity. Understanding the various treatment options available and their comparative effectiveness is paramount for developing a personalized treatment regimen for such patients. This review article provides an updated overview of the various topical and systemic immunomodulatory drugs available for the prevention and treatment of NMSC, and the published data supporting their use in clinical practice.

The application of photodynamic therapy in plastic and reconstructive surgery

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a modern clinical treatment paradigm with the advantages of high selectivity, non-invasiveness, rare side-effect, no obvious drug resistance and easy combination with other therapies. These features have endowed PDT with high focus and application prospects. Studies of photodynamic therapy have been expanded in a lot of biomedical and clinical fields, especially Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (PRS) the author major in. In this review, we emphasize the mechanism and advances in PDT related to the PRS applications including benign pigmented lesions, vascular malformations, inflammatory lesions, tumor and others. Besides, combined with clinical data analysis, the limitation of PDT and current issues that need to be addressed in the field of PRS have also been discussed. At last, a comprehensive discussion and outlooking represent future progress of PDT in PRS.

Durable Clearance Rate of Photodynamic Therapy for Bowen Disease and Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Although surgery is the treatment of choice for Bowen disease (BD) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), nonsurgical treatments such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) may be preferred for select tumors. Previous meta-analysis have failed to gather strong evidence to recommend PDT.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the effectiveness of PDT in the treatment of cSCC and BD for clearance rate (CR) after 1 year.

METHODS

A literature search of studies of biopsy-proven BD and cSCC treated with PDT was performed. Pooled CRs were estimated. Subgroup analyses were performed based on follow-up, treatment regimen, lesion size, and site.

RESULTS

Forty-three studies were included, enrolling 1943 BD lesions and 282 SCC lesions. Pooled CRs for BD and SCC were 76% (95% CI: 71%-80%; I2 = 78.9%) and 51% (95% CI: 35%-66%; I2 = 85.7%), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the selective use of PDT for BD; however, patients should be advised of potential for recurrence. Although PDT can be used for certain cases of cSCC, the high rate of treatment failure necessitates close surveillance for residual or recurrent disease. Further studies are needed to justify the usage of PDT in the treatment of BD and cSCC.

Efficacy of Photodynamic Therapy for the Treatment of Bowen's Disease: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND

Photodynamic therapy is an established treatment option for Bowen's disease. Our meta-analysis was aimed at evaluating the efficacy and recurrence of photodynamic therapy or other topical treatments (5-fluorouracil, cryotherapy) and of photodynamic therapy alone or in combination with other therapies (ablative fractional CO2 laser or plum-blossom needle) for the treatment of Bowen's disease.

METHODS

Trials that met our inclusion criteria were identified from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases, and meta-analyses were conducted with RevMan V.5.4. The risk of bias was estimated with the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tools. Complete response rate, recurrence, pain/visual analogue scale score, cosmetic outcome, and adverse events were considered as outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 2,439 records initially retrieved, 8 randomized controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis. According to our analyses, photodynamic therapy exhibited a significantly higher complete response rate (RR = 1.36, 95% CI [1.01, 1.84], I2 = 86%, p = 0.04), less recurrence (RR = 0.53, 95% CI [0.30, 0.95], I2 = 0%, p = 0.03), and better cosmetic outcome (RR = 1.34, 95% CI [1.15, 1.56], I2 = 0%, p = 0.0002) compared with other treatments. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the complete response rate of photodynamic therapy combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser and that of photodynamic therapy (RR = 1.85, 95% CI [1.38, 2.49], I2 = 0%, p < 0.0001). Photodynamic therapy combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser or plum-blossom needle also showed significantly less recurrence (RR = 0.21, 95% CI [0.09, 0.51], I2 = 0%, p = 0.0005) and a lower visual analogue scale score (RR = 0.51, 95% CI [0.06, 0.96], I2 = 0%, p = 0.03) than photodynamic therapy alone. However, there was no significant difference in the complete response rate between photodynamic therapy combined with ablative continuous CO2 laser and photodynamic therapy combined with ablative fractional CO2 laser (RR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.54, 1.86], I2 not applicable, p = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis shows that photodynamic therapy can be used in the treatment of Bowen's disease with better efficacy, less recurrence, and better cosmetic outcomes than cryotherapy and 5-FU. Some methods, including ablative fractional CO2 laser, can be applied in combination with photodynamic therapy to improve efficacy. However, which laser-assisted photodynamic therapy scheme has the most advantages in the treatment of Bowen's disease warrants further exploration.

Efficacy of Non-excisional Treatment Modalities for Superficially Invasive and In Situ Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are prevalent conditions that are increasing in incidence worldwide. Many non-excisional treatments are commonly used, but the efficacy of these treatments is not well delineated.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the recurrence rates of SCCIS and SCC treated with non-excisional treatment modalities.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed for SCCIS and SCC treated with 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, electrodessication, curettage, photodynamic therapy, ablative lasers, or cryotherapy.

RESULTS

We included 186 studies describing treatment of 9,336 tumors. The recurrence rates of SCC and SCCIS following electrodessication with curettage (2.0%; 95% CI, 1.1%-3.0%) or cryotherapy with curettage (1.6%; 95% CI, 0.4%-2.8%) were lower than other treatments, such as photodynamic therapy (29.0%; 95% CI, 25.0%-33.0%), 5-fluorouracil (26.6%; 95% CI, 16.9%-36.4%), or imiquimod (16.1%; 95% CI, 10.3%-21.8%).

LIMITATIONS

Limitations include publication bias of mostly observational data and heterogeneity of treatment regimens.

CONCLUSION

Electrodessication and cryotherapy, in combination with curettage, are more effective than photodynamic therapy, 5-flurouracil, or imiquimod for treating SCCIS and SCC.

Combined with interventional therapy, immunotherapy can create a new outlook for tumor treatment

Recent progress in immunotherapy provides hope of a complete cure to cancer patients. However, recent studies have reported that only a limited number of cancer patients with a specific immune status, known as "cold tumor", can benefit from a single immune agent. Although the combination of immune agents with different mechanisms can partially increase the low response rate and improve efficacy, it can also result in more side effects. Therefore, discovering therapies that can improve tumors' response rate to immunotherapy without increasing toxicity for patients is urgently needed. Tumor interventional therapy is promising. It mainly includes transcatheter arterial chemoembolization, ablation, radioactive particle internal irradiation, and photodynamic interventional therapy based on a luminal stent. Interventional therapy can directly kill tumor cells by targeted drug delivery in situ, thus reducing drug dosage and systemic toxicity like cytokine release syndrome. More importantly, interventional therapy can regulate the immune system through numerous mechanisms, making it a suitable choice for immunotherapy to combine with. In this review, we provide a brief description of immunotherapies (and their side effects) on tumors of different immune types and preliminarily elaborate on interventional therapy mechanisms to improve immune efficacy. We also discuss the progress and challenges of the combination of interventional therapy and immunotherapy.

Self-assembly of Amphiphilic Porphyrins To Construct Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Photodynamic Therapy

Hydrophobic photosensitizers greatly affect cell permeability and enrichment in tumors, but they cannot be used directly for clinical applications because they always aggregate in water, preventing their circulation in the blood and accumulation in tumor cells. As a result, amphiphilic photosensitizers are highly desirable. Although nanomaterial-based photosensitizers can solve water solubility, they have the disadvantages of complicated operation, poor reproducibility, low drug loading, and poor stability. In this work, an efficient synthesis strategy is proposed that converts small molecules into nanoparticles in 100 % aqueous solution by molecular assembly without the addition of any foreign species. Three photosensitizers with triphenylphosphine units and ethylene glycol chains of different lengths, TPP-PPh₃ , TPP-PPh₃ -2PEG and TPP-PPh₃ -4PEG, were synthesized to improve amphiphilicity. Of the three photosensitizers, TPP-PPh₃ -4PEG is the most efficient (singlet oxygen yield: 0.89) for tumor photodynamic therapy not only because of its definite constituent, but also because its amphiphilic structure allows it to self-assemble in water.

Skin Cancers and Lung Transplant

It is well known that solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) have a 65- to 100-fold increase in the risk of developing skin cancer, namely, nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) such as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In addition, these patients are also at increased risk for development of melanoma as well as other less common cutaneous malignancies (Merkel's cell carcinoma, Kaposi's sarcoma). SOTRs with NMSC (namely cSCC) are also at significantly increased risk of poor clinical outcomes including local recurrence, nodal and distant metastasis, and disease-specific death relative to patients who are not immunosuppressed. Increased surveillance and monitoring in patients at risk of aggressive disease and poor outcomes who are on immunosuppression is essential in patients with lung transplants given the high degree of immunosuppression. Increased awareness of risks, treatments, and management allows for improved outcomes in these patients. This article will provide an overview of the risk factors for the development of cutaneous malignancies in organ transplant recipients as well as a detailed discussion of various immunosuppressant and prophylactic medications used in this patient population that contribute to the risk of developing cutaneous malignancies, with an emphasis on NMSC (cSCC and BCC) in lung transplant recipients. Finally, this article includes a discussion on the clinical and dermatologic management of this high-risk immunosuppressed population including a review of topical and systemic agents for field therapy of actinic damage and chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinomas. In addition, indications for additional treatment and preventive measures such as adjuvant radiation treatment after surgical management of cutaneous malignancies and potential modification of immunosuppressive medication regimens are discussed.

Japanese Dermatological Association Guidelines: Outlines of Guidelines for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma 2020

In consideration of the development of treatment options for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the Japanese Skin Cancer Society issued the first guidelines of SCC in 2007 and revised them in 2015. Here, we report the English version of the 2020 edition of the Japanese SCC guidelines. The first half of this article is an overview of SCC including actinic keratosis and Bowen's disease, and the second half discusses three clinical questions: (i) treatment of actinic keratosis; (ii) determination of the resection margin of the primary lesion; and (iii) treatment of radically incurable cases, as contemporary problems encountered in treating SCC. In these evaluations, all processes were implemented according to the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, Evaluation system. Also, items of recommendation concerning each clinical question were determined by a multidisciplinary expert panel consisting of dermatologists, plastic/reconstructive surgeons, radiologists, and oncologists through a comprehensive literature search and systematic reviews.

Nonsurgical treatment of skin cancer with local delivery of bioadhesive nanoparticles

Keratinocyte-derived carcinomas, including squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), comprise the most common malignancies. Surgical excision is the therapeutic standard but is not always clinically feasible, and currently available alternatives are limited to superficial tumors. To address the need for a nonsurgical treatment for nodular skin cancers like SCC, we developed a bioadhesive nanoparticle (BNP) drug delivery system composed of biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic acid)-hyperbranched polyglycerol (PLA-HPG), encapsulating camptothecin (CPT). Nanoparticles (NPs) of PLA-HPG are nonadhesive NPs (NNPs), which are stealthy in their native state, but we have previously shown that conversion of the vicinal diols of HPG to aldehydes conferred NPs the ability to form strong covalent bonds with amine-rich surfaces. Herein, we show that these BNPs have significantly enhanced binding to SCC tumor cell surfaces and matrix proteins, thereby significantly enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of intratumoral drug delivery. Tumor injection of BNP-CPT resulted in tumor retention of CPT at ∼50% at 10 d postinjection, while CPT was undetectable in NNP-CPT or free (intralipid) CPT-injected tumors at that time. BNP-CPT also significantly reduced tumor burden, with a portion (∼20%) of BNP-CPT-treated established tumors showing histologic cure. Larger, more fully established PDV SCC tumors treated with a combination of BNP-CPT and immunostimulating CpG oligodeoxynucleotides exhibited enhanced survival relative to controls, revealing the potential for BNP delivery to be used along with local tumor immunotherapy. Taken together, these results indicate that percutaneous delivery of a chemotherapeutic agent via BNPs, with or without adjuvant immunostimulation, represents a viable, nonsurgical alternative for treating cutaneous malignancy.

Photodynamic diagnosis and photodynamic therapy in basal cell carcinoma using a novel laser light source

The aim of the present study was evaluating the effects and safety of new laser light source in PDD and PDT of basal cell carcinoma, BCC. The patients presented challenging localizations of the tumor or tumor combined with Gorlin syndrome. The PDD and PDT was performed in 50 patients with 54 histologically confirmed BCCs. The photosensitizer precursor, 5-ALA in cream, was used and the tumors were then illuminated, for PDD at 405 nm, and for PDT at 638 nm by means of newly designed laser. The novel feature of the laser was the combination of violet and red light in a single fiber output which enabled us to perform PDD and PDT alternatingly. The patients received one or more PDT sessions and they were observed during the next 36 months. The complete responses (CR, remissions) of the lesions were considered as no visible tumor after that time period. CR were observed in 87 % of the lesions in the entire group of patients. The results of present study show that the new laser allowing for both PDD and PDT was effective in producing satisfactory responses in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma.

European Dermatology Forum guidelines on topical photodynamic therapy 2019 Part 1: treatment delivery and established indications - actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease and basal cell carcinomas

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a widely approved therapy for actinic keratoses, Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ), superficial and certain thin basal cell carcinomas. Recurrence rates when standard treatment protocols are used are typically equivalent to existing therapies, although inferior to surgery for nodular basal cell carcinoma. PDT can be used both as lesional and field therapies and has the potential to delay/reduce the development of new lesions. A protocol using daylight to treat actinic keratoses is widely practised, with conventional PDT using a red light after typically a 3-h period of occlusion employed for other superficial skin cancer indications as well as for actinic keratoses when daylight therapy is not feasible. PDT is a well-tolerated therapy although discomfort associated with conventional protocol may require pain-reduction measures. PDT using daylight is associated with no or minimal pain and preferred by patient. There is an emerging literature on enhancing conventional PDT protocols or combined PDT with another treatment to increase response rates. This guideline, published over two parts, considers all current approved and emerging indications for the use of topical PDT in dermatology, prepared by the PDT subgroup of the European Dermatology Forum guidelines committee. It presents consensual expert recommendations reflecting current published evidence.

Field cancerization: Treatment

The goal of field cancerization treatment is to reduce the risk of developing keratinocyte carcinoma. Selecting the appropriate therapy depends on the degree of field cancerization and the number of invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas. Other considerations include treatment efficacy, cost, side effects, and patient preference. Field therapies are preferred because they address clinically visible disease and subclinical atypia. However, lesion-directed therapies are useful for lesions that are more difficult to treat or those where a histologic diagnosis is required. Patients with extensive field cancerization benefit from a combination of field-directed and lesion-directed treatments. The second article in this continuing medical education series provides a framework to guide evidence-based decision making for field cancerization treatment.

Photodynamic Therapy and the Biophysics of the Tumor Microenvironment

Targeting the tumor microenvironment (TME) provides opportunities to modulate tumor physiology, enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents, impact immune response and overcome resistance. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a photochemistry-based, nonthermal modality that produces reactive molecular species at the site of light activation and is in the clinic for nononcologic and oncologic applications. The unique mechanisms and exquisite spatiotemporal control inherent to PDT enable selective modulation or destruction of the TME and cancer cells. Mechanical stress plays an important role in tumor growth and survival, with increasing implications for therapy design and drug delivery, but remains understudied in the context of PDT and PDT-based combinations. This review describes pharmacoengineering and bioengineering approaches in PDT to target cellular and noncellular components of the TME, as well as molecular targets on tumor and tumor-associated cells. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of mechanical stress in the context of targeted PDT regimens, and combinations, for primary and metastatic tumors.

Topical treatments for skin cancer

Skin cancer is a broad term used to describe a number of different malignant indications of the skin. Skin cancers mostly comprise of the keratinocyte cancers [Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)], and melanoma. Surgical excision of these malignancies has been the preferred treatment of patients for decades. However, the decision to perform surgery can be affected by various considerations, including co-morbidities of the patient, the anatomical site of the lesion and potential intolerance for repeated excisions. Topical treatment of skin cancer may therefore be more appropriate in certain instances. Topical treatment potentially allows for higher drug levels at the tumor site, and may result in less overall toxicity than systemic agents. This review will specifically address the current agents used in topical treatment of skin cancers, and introduce emerging treatments from the natural product field that may also find utility in these indications.

The Dark Side: Photosensitizer Prodrugs

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photodiagnosis (PD) are essential approaches in the field of biophotonics. Ideally, both modalities require the selective sensitization of the targeted disease in order to avoid undesired phenomena such as the destruction of healthy tissue, skin photosensitization, or mistaken diagnosis. To a large extent, the occurrence of these incidents can be attributed to “background” accumulation in non-target tissue. Therefore, an ideal photoactive compound should be optically silent in the absence of disease, but bright in its presence. Such requirements can be fulfilled using innovative prodrug strategies targeting disease-associated alterations. Here we will summarize the elaboration, characterization, and evaluation of approaches using polymeric photosensitizer prodrugs, nanoparticles, micelles, and porphysomes. Finally, we will discuss the use of 5-aminolevulinc acid and its derivatives that are selectively transformed in neoplastic cells into photoactive protoporphyrin IX.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Although surgical intervention remains the standard of care for nonmelanoma skin cancer, other treatment modalities have been studied and used. Nonsurgical treatment methods include cryotherapy, topical medications, photodynamic therapy, radiation therapy, Hedgehog pathway inhibitors, programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitors, and active nonintervention. Despite the favorable efficacy of surgical treatment methods, many factors, including but not limited to patient age, preference, and severity of disease, must be taken into consideration when choosing the most appropriate, patient-centered treatment approach.

[Necrotic leg ulcers after topical application of chlormethine]

BACKGROUND

Topical chlormethine has been widely used in the early stages of mycosis fungoides for many years. Cutaneous reactions (skin irritation and itch) are the most frequent adverse effects. Herein we report a rare side effect: severe necrotic leg ulcers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An 82-year-old woman with a history of high blood pressure developed hyperalgesic necrotic ulcers on the lower limbs following local trauma one month after initiation of topical chlormethine (Valchlor^®) to treat mycosis fungoides. Aetiological examination showed moderate peripheral arterial disease which, while constituting an aggravating factor, did not account fully for these skin ulcers. Moreover, drug-induced ulcer was suspected on account of the chronology. Dermal corticoids and topical treatment were prescribed in place of chlormethine and led to a favourable outcome.

CONCLUSION

Incrimination of chlormethine was based on the chronological and semiological criteria. This is the first published case of leg ulceration induced by Valchlor^®.

Multiple Bowen's diseases and basal cell carcinomas in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with arsenic trioxide: A case report and effective treatment with photodynamic therapy

It is very rare that multiple Bowen's disease (BD) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) lesions develop in a single patient. Routine therapy for the multiple lesions is not satisfactory. The present authors report on a patient who had developed multiple BD and BCC lesions for 12 years after arsenic trioxide treatment for his acute promyelocytic leukemia 20 years before. The patient with multiple lesions was successfully treated with photodynamic therapy.

Topical 5-fluorouracil in dermatologic disease

BACKGROUND

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) has proven to be an effective therapy in the treatment of a variety of dermatologic conditions. Approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of actinic keratoses and superficial basal cell carcinoma, topical 5-FU has also demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of a variety of other dermatologic diseases.

METHODS

A search of the MEDLINE standard computer database, MEDLINE advanced database, and EMBASE database was conducted.

RESULTS

Thirty-four articles met criteria for inclusion in this review. These articles represented 16 randomized controlled trials and 18 case series. Each article was reviewed and summarized.

CONCLUSIONS

Topical 5-FU is used in a variety of dermatologic disease processes with a wide range of efficacy and levels of evidence. Based on extent and level of evidence, our disease-specific systematic review found that the evidence is strongest for topical 5-FU use in the treatment of actinic keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. This review serves as a comprehensive summary of topical 5-FU use in dermatology.

Recent advances in field cancerization and management of multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is among the most common cancers in humans, and many patients with SCC will develop multiple tumors within their lifetime. The field cancerization concept, originally proposed over 60 years ago, hypothesized that multiple primary cancers may arise simultaneously and coexist with subclinical precursor lesions within a defined field. Genetic sequencing of SCC and precursor lesions has identified what may be the earliest clonal proliferations in SCC development and confirmed that field cancerization in the skin is mediated by ultraviolet radiation. For patients with multiple SCCs and severe actinic damage, treatment of precursor lesions within a cancerized field can decrease the risk of subsequent cancer development. Sunblock is an effective intervention for field cancerization, even in patients with established disease. There is now direct evidence that field therapy with topical 5-fluorouracil is effective in reducing the incidence of subsequent SCC, and there is indirect evidence suggesting that topical imiquimod, topical ingenol mebutate, and photodynamic therapy are similarly effective. There is limited direct evidence to show that systemic acitretin or nicotinamide can decrease incident SCC in patients with field cancerization. In this review, an approach to the management of patients with multiple SCCs and field cancerization is presented along with the rationale to support field-directed therapy.

Laser-assisted drug delivery: mode of action and use in daily clinical practice

Topical application of pharmaceutical agents is a basic principle of dermatological therapy. However, the effective barrier function of the skin significantly impairs the bioavailability of most topical drugs. Fractional ablative lasers represent an innovative strategy to overcome the epidermal barrier in a standardized, contact-free manner. The bioavailability of topical agents can be significantly enhanced using laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD). In recent years, the principle of LADD has become well established for various dermatological indications. Herein, we review the current literature on LADD and present potential future applications.

Updates on the Management of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC)

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancy worldwide, of which 99% are basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of skin. NMSCs are generally considered a curable diseases, yet they currently pose an increasing global healthcare problem due to rising incidence. This has led to a shift in emphasis on prevention of NMSCs with development of various skin cancer prevention programs worldwide. This article aims to summarize the most recent changes and advances made in NMSC management with a focus on prevention, screening, diagnosis, and staging.