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Topical Imiquimod to Treat Intraepidermal Carcinoma
Ulrich R. Hengge, MD;
Roxana Stark, MD
From the University of Essen, Essen, Germany.
Arch Dermatol. 2001;137:709-711.
REPORT OF CASES
CASE 1
An 82-year-old man with severe cardiac arrhythmia and recurrent heart failure presented with a 3-year history of erythematous plaques on the left orbita and on the chest. The lesion on his left eye was a hypertrophic actinic keratosis (2 x 1.5 cm), a scaly erythematous plaque on the saddle of the nose extending to the opening of the left lacrimal duct. The chest lesion consisted of a 5 x 2.5-cm plaque with a hemorrhagic crust that caused recurrent itching. On histologic examination, the epidermal cells in the lower epidermis were atypical and showed large, hyperchromatic nuclei and abnormal mitoses (Figure 1A). The biopsy specimen tested positive for human papillomavirus (HPV) type 33 using consensus primers and polymerase chain reaction.1
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Figure 1. A, Histological examination of patient 1 revealed epidermal keratinocytes with large hyperchromatic nuclei and atypical mitoses in several layers of the epidermis. B, After 8 months, a control biopsy specimen showed an atrophic epidermis, dilated blood vessels, and a mild lymphohistiocytic infiltrate consistent with vascularized scar tissue (hematoxylin-eosin, original magnification x100).
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CASE 2
A 52-year-old woman who previously underwent cryotherapy for a 4-mm shiny papule on the right side of the osseous part of the nose presented with a recurrence (Figure 2). On histologic examination, the lesion showed irregular keratinocytes with some dyskeratosis, increased mitoses, focal horn pearls, and a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate.
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Figure 2. A, Four-millimeter shiny papule on the right side of the nose of patient 2. During therapy, the patient experienced erythema and erosions at week 9 (B) prior to complete resolution at week 12 (C).
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THERAPEUTIC CHALLENGE
Given the high prevalence of actinic keratoses and Bowen disease and the potential for malignant transformation,2-5 there remains a need for convenient treatments. Currently used therapies, such as cryotherapy, laser vaporization, excision, Mohs surgery, chemical peel, trichloroacetic acid, photodynamic therapy, or fluorouracil, are associated with substantial patient discomfort and significant tissue destruction.
SOLUTION
We evaluated the novel topical immune response modifier imiquimod (1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-4-amine; 3M, St Paul, Minn) as a therapeutic alternative in 2 difficult-to-treat patients with intraepidermal carcinoma. Imiquimod was applied as 5% cream 3 times per week in an amount that could be rubbed in. In patient 1, treatment was continued for 17 weeks, when both lesions resolved. The patient did not experience any adverse effects such as erythema or discomfort while receiving treatment. A control biopsy specimen of the chest, taken 8 months after the initial presentation, showed a scar with an increased number of blood vessels without evidence of carcinoma (Figure 1B). At the time of this report (15 months after treatment), there had been no recurrence.
Patient 2 experienced an erythema and small erosions in the treated area at week 9 (Figure 2). Treatment was stopped, and 3 weeks later, the lesion had healed without sequelae (Figure 2). During 12 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence.
COMMENT
Since actinic keratoses have a rate of progression to invasive squamous cell carcinoma of about 0.085% per lesion per year, with an even higher risk for Bowen disease,2-3 adequate treatment is necessary.
Imiquimod belongs to the new class of topical immune response modifiers. It has been successfully used for the treatment of viral infections, such as condyloma, warts, mollusca, and genital herpes, and, most recently, for basal cell carcinoma.6-10 Its mechanism of action in humans is not completely understood, but several studies suggest that it involves stimulation of the cellular immune system, including the induction of cytokines, such as interferon alfa, tumor necrosis factor  , and interleukin 12 (IL-12), from monocytes and macrophages.11 Through the induction of interferon alfa, imiquimod could enhance antigen presentation by increasing the expression of major histocompatibility complex class I and thus, together with IL-12, augment the development of a TH1-type immune response. Other cytokines that are induced by imiquimod from the epidermis, such as IL-1 and IL-6, may contribute to lesion regression by maturation and migration of Langerhans cells, increasing T-cell trafficking to the epidermis, enhancing natural killer cell cytotoxic effects, and stimulating B-cell proliferation.12-13 The local skin reactions noted with imiquimod are most likely a consequence of cytokine-induced inflammation,11 which is also observed with ablative therapies, such as trichloroacetic acid or fluorouracil.
The relatively long time to clinical efficacy suggests a cell-mediated immune response either against the HPV type associated with the cancerous lesion or directly against the malignant cells. This mode of action distinguishes the new class of immune response modifiers from conventional ablative techniques. Whether early forms of cutaneous neoplasia, such as actinic (solar) keratoses and Bowen disease, are associated with HPV infection is currently under debate.14-16
Patient-applied imiquimod, the first topical immune response modifier, represents a new drug with potential for treating initial squamous cell cancers of the epidermis in selected patients. While treatment is convenient, it may be associated with erythema and erosions and infrequent scarring. Our initial observations suggest the need for larger trials to confirm this potential novel indication.
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Accepted for publication February 7, 2001.
We thank Eggert Stockfleth, MD, for his analysis of the HPV genotype and Werner Schlake, PhD, for the findings of the initial histologic examination of patient 1.
Corresponding author: Ulrich R. Hengge, MD, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, University of Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45122 Essen, Germany (e-mail: ulrich.hengge{at}uni-essen.de).
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SECTION EDITOR: GEORGE J. HRUZA, MD; ASSISTANT SECTION EDITORS: DEE ANNA GLASER, MD; ELAINE SIEGFRIED, MD
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