Calcipotriene and Fluorouracil Cream

Description:

The combination of calcipotriene and fluorouracil has been shown to effectively treat actinic keratosis with treatment twice daily for just four days. There is a synergy between these two ingredients that makes them more effective when they are used together. The short treatment time and high clearance rate make it an ideal treatment for actinic keratosis.

Actinic keratoses are premalignant lesions of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This means they are not dangerous in their current form but can potentially become skin cancer. Most treatments for AKs require long-term use and may have severe side effects. Even though AKs are prevalent and one of the most common reasons patients visit a dermatologist, there are few effective treatments.

In one study, this combination resulted in a significantly higher complete (62% vs. 8%) and partial AK clearance (82% vs. 11%) for all anatomical sites combined in the test than in the control group. The treatment results in robust T cell immunity and Trm formation against AKs, lowering the risk of developing SCC within three years.

As part of the treatment process, this combination will result in skin redness that sometimes intensifies after treatment is concluded. Many patients report redness intensifying up to days 10-11 after initiating treatment and then progressively getting better. This is expected as the treatment is working to rapidly remove a lesion from your skin.

Articles

Skin cancer precursor immunotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma prevention – Journal of Clinical Investigation