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Malvehy J, Stratigos AJ, Bagot M, Stockfleth E, Ezzedine K, Delarue A. Actinic keratosis: Current challenges and unanswered questions. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38 Suppl 5:3-11. [PMID: 38923589 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Actinic keratoses (AK) are common skin lesions associated with chronic exposure to sun. They are believed to be precursors of malignancy as they potentially may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. The goal of current therapies is to reduce the number of AK and to prevent future cancer development. This review aims at providing an overview of the hallmarks of AK and skin field cancerization. We discuss epidemiology trends, risk factors and the state of the art and evidence of the current treatments. We review key figures of AK prevalence from different countries with regard to skin cancer risk and the associated economic burden of AK. We discuss the mutational status in AK lesions and the difficulties encountered by clinicians in evaluating AK visible and invisible lesions, referring to the concept of field cancerization. Based on a systematic literature review, we further evaluate the available treatment options. The presence of subclinical skin alterations in the periphery of visible AK lesions has gained a particular attention as those non-visible lesions are known to contain the same genetic changes as those found in the AK lesions themselves, prompting the concept of 'field cancerization'. Therefore, AK treatment guidelines now recognize the importance of treating the field in patients with AK. A recent systematic literature review and network meta-analysis showed that 5-FU interventions were associated with the best efficacy and a satisfactory acceptability profile compared with other field-directed therapies used in the treatment of AK. Although AK are considered quite common, they lack an accurate descriptive definition and conclusive epidemiologic data. Limited public awareness is a barrier to early and effective treatment, including prevention strategies. While different treatment options are available, there is still a limited understanding of long-term outcomes of treatment as measured by recurrence of cancer prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josep Malvehy
- Hospital Clinic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, and Spain & Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Martine Bagot
- Department of Dermatology, Saint-Louis Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, and Human Immunology, Pathophysiology and Immunotherapy, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale U976, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Eggert Stockfleth
- Department of Dermatology, Ruhr University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Khaled Ezzedine
- Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Henri Mondor, EA EpiDermE, UPEC-Université Paris-Est Créteil, Créteil, France
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Iancu D, Fulga A, Vesa D, Zenovia A, Fulga I, Sarbu MI, Tatu AL. Metastatic patterns and treatment options for head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2024; 20:40. [PMID: 38756868 PMCID: PMC11097132 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2024.2739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
According to current predictions, one-fifth of all Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) most commonly occurs in the head and neck region, which is the area of the body with the highest level of sun exposure. High-risk head and neck cSCC (HNcSCC) is a broad category with numerous high-risk factors that are associated with unfavorable results. In cSCC staging systems, clinical and tumor traits that are likely to result in poor outcomes are identified. Metastasis occurs in ~2.5% of patients with cSCC, most often in the local lymph nodes, and there is some indication that lymph node metastasis has a distinct pattern based on the tumor site. Current findings on tumor molecular targets have suggested the use of systemic treatments, particularly immunotherapy (such as cemiplimab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab), over radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this type of metastasis. However, when used simultaneously with immunotherapy, radiotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of metastatic HNcSCC by improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. The present review aims to assess the existing literature on metastatic HNcSCC pathways and treatment options, in order to define current and future directions. Notably, there is an urgent need to identify patients who may benefit from local or systemic cancer treatments. The treatment of lymph node metastasis presents a therapeutic challenge and requires comprehensive management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doriana Iancu
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Ana Fulga
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Doina Vesa
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Andrei Zenovia
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ‘Cai Ferate’ General Hospital, 800223 Galati, Romania
| | - Iuliu Fulga
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
- Department of Forensic Medicine, ‘Sfantul Andrei’ Emergency Clinical Hospital of Galati, 800578 Galati, Romania
| | - Mihaela Ionela Sarbu
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
| | - Alin Laurentiu Tatu
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, ‘Dunarea de Jos’ University of Galati, 800010 Galati, Romania
- Department of Dermatology, ‘Sfanta Cuvioasa Parascheva’ Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases, 800179 Galati, Romania
- Multidisciplinary Integrative Center for Dermatologic Interface Research, 800179 Galati, Romania
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Soare C, Cozma EC, Celarel AM, Rosca AM, Lupu M, Voiculescu VM. Digitally Enhanced Methods for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Treatment Responses in Actinic Keratoses: A New Avenue in Personalized Skin Care. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:484. [PMID: 38339236 PMCID: PMC10854727 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16030484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-melanocytic skin cancers represent an important public health problem due to the increasing incidence and the important local destructive potential. Thus, the early diagnosis and treatment of precancerous lesions (actinic keratoses) is a priority for the dermatologist. In recent years, non-invasive skin imaging methods have seen an important development, moving from simple observational methods used in clinical research, to true diagnostic and treatment methods that make the dermatologist's life easier. Given the frequency of these precancerous lesions, their location on photo-exposed areas, as well as the long treatment periods, with variable, imprecise end-points, the need to use non-invasive imaging devices is increasingly evident to complete the clinical observations in the diagnosis and treatment of these lesions, with the aim of increasing accuracy and decreasing the adverse effects due to long treatment duration. This is the first review that brings together all skin imaging methods (dermoscopy, reflectance confocal microscopy, ultrasonography, dermoscopy-guided high frequency ultrasonography, and optical coherence tomography) used in the evaluation of actinic keratoses and their response to different treatment regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Soare
- Department of Oncological Dermatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (M.L.); (V.M.V.)
| | - Elena Codruta Cozma
- Department of Pathophysiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, Romania
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ana Maria Celarel
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Ana Maria Rosca
- Department of Dermatology, University Military Hospital “Dr. Carol Davila”, 010825 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Mihai Lupu
- Department of Oncological Dermatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (M.L.); (V.M.V.)
| | - Vlad Mihai Voiculescu
- Department of Oncological Dermatology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (C.S.); (M.L.); (V.M.V.)
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Elias University Emergency Hospital, 011461 Bucharest, Romania;
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Stockfleth E, Heppt MV, Bégeault N, Delarue A. Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of 4% 5-Fluorouracil Cream in Patients with Actinic Keratosis: An Expert Opinion. Acta Derm Venereol 2023; 103:adv11954. [PMID: 37982726 PMCID: PMC10680462 DOI: 10.2340/actadv.v103.11954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Actinic keratosis is a lesion that develops in sun-exposed areas of the skin and is considered to be a precancerous condition or an early in situ squamous cell carcinoma. Treatment of actinic keratosis is important for reducing skin cancer risk, with treatment choice based on patient-, lesion- and treatment-related considerations. Of the topical treatments used for field-directed therapy, those containing 5-fluorouracil are among the most effective and widely prescribed. The most recently developed topical 5-fluorouracil preparation (Tolak®; Pierre Fabre, France) contains 4% 5-fluorouracil in an aqueous cream. This narrative review discusses data on 4% 5-fluorouracil cream to treat actinic keratosis, and provides the authors' expert opinion on issues associated with it use. The effect of the cream has been evaluated in phase 2 and 3 trials of adult patients with actinic keratosis on the face, ears or scalp. These trials included patients with severe baseline disease, defined by high lesion counts and large-size treatment fields, which possibly affected the proportion of patients who were able to achieve complete clearance. Other efficacy parameters (e.g. percentage change in lesion count, ≥ 75% clearance of lesions or clinically significant changes in validated severity scales) should also be assessed to fully evaluate 4% 5-fluorouracil treatment efficacy in these patients. Nevertheless, 4% 5-fluorouracil is associated with high efficacy, a low level of recurrence and a satisfactory safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Markus V Heppt
- Department of Dermatology, Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
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Del Regno L, Catapano S, Di Stefani A, Cappilli S, Peris K. A Review of Existing Therapies for Actinic Keratosis: Current Status and Future Directions. Am J Clin Dermatol 2022; 23:339-352. [PMID: 35182332 PMCID: PMC9142445 DOI: 10.1007/s40257-022-00674-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a chronic skin disease in which clinical and subclinical cutaneous lesions coexist on sun-exposed areas such as the head and neck region and the extremities. The high prevalence of AK means the disease burden is substantial, especially in middle-aged and elderly populations. Evidence indicates that AK may progress into invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, so the European guidelines recommend treatment of any AK regardless of clinical severity. Given the aging population and therefore the increasing incidence of AK and cutaneous field carcinogenesis, further updates on the long-term efficacy of current therapies and new investigational agents are critical to guide treatment choice. Patients often have difficulty adequately applying topical treatments and coping with adverse local skin reactions, leading to less than optimum treatment adherence. The development of associated local skin symptoms and cosmetic outcomes for the area of interest are also relevant to the choice of an appropriate therapeutic strategy. Treatment is always individually tailored according to the characteristics of both patients and lesions. This review focuses on the therapeutic approaches to AK and illustrates the currently available home-based and physician-managed treatments.
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Intensity of Local Skin Reactions During 5-Fluorouracil Treatment Related to the Number of Actinic Keratosis Lesions: A Post Hoc, Exploratory Analysis. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2021; 12:467-479. [PMID: 34954811 PMCID: PMC8850465 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-021-00668-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Actinic keratoses (AK) are epithelial lesions caused by chronic skin exposure to ultraviolet light that can progress into squamous cell carcinoma. Although several treatments are effective, they are associated with severe skin reactions, which might be related to the extent of the disease. This study aimed to examine the relationship between the severity of local skin reactions during treatment with 5-fluorouracil 4% cream and the number of AK lesions at baseline. METHODS This post hoc analysis pooled data from two multicentre randomised phase III studies (HD-FUP3B-048, HD-FUP3B-049) in patients with AK treated with topical 5-fluorouracil 4% once daily (OD) or 5% twice daily (BID) for 4 weeks. First, we compared the severity, assessed using a numerical rating scale, of the local skin reactions between 5-fluorouracil 4% and 5%. Then, we investigated the relationship between the number of lesions at baseline and severe skin reactions with 5-fluorouracil 4% OD. RESULTS Safety data were included from 397 patients who had received 5-fluorouracil 4% (348 in study HD-FUP3B-048, 49 in study HD-FUP3B-049) OD and 342 (HD-FUP3B-048) who had received 5-fluorouracil 5% BID. For most skin reactions, severe ones were more common in patients treated with 5-fluorouracil 5% cream BID than in those treated with 5-fluorouracil 4% cream OD (P < 0.05). With 5-fluorouracil 4% OD, the incidence of severe erythema was significantly higher in patients with at least 10 lesions (46%) than in patients with 5-10 lesions (28%; P < 0.001). Similar results were observed for the other local skin reactions. CONCLUSION Treatment with 5-fluorouracil 4% cream OD was associated with less severe local skin reactions than 5-fluorouracil 5% BID. The number of AK lesions at baseline seems to have predictive value regarding the severity of local skin reactions that appear during treatment.
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