A randomized split-scalp study comparing calcipotriol-assisted methyl aminolaevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT) with conventional MAL-PDT for the treatment of actinic keratosis

BACKGROUND

Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an approved treatment for actinic keratosis (AK). To enhance the efficacy of PDT for AKs, physical and chemical pretreatments have been suggested.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy and safety of the combination of topical calcipotriol (CAL) before methyl aminolaevulinate (MAL)-PDT for AKs of the scalp vs. conventional MAL-PDT in a randomized controlled clinical trial.

METHODS

Twenty patients with multiple AKs on the scalp were randomized to receive conventional MAL-PDT with previous curettage on one side of the scalp and CAL-assisted MAL-PDT once a day for 15 days before illumination on the other side. After 3 months, patients were evaluated for clearance of AKs, side-effects and histopathology before and after the procedure. Protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) fluorescence was measured before and after illumination on both sides.

RESULTS

All 20 patients completed the study. Overall AK clearance rates were 92·1% and 82·0% for CAL-PDT and conventional PDT, respectively (P < 0·001). Grade 1 AKs showed similar response rates for both sides (P = 0·055). However, grade II AKs showed more improvement on the CAL-PDT side (90%) than on the MAL-PDT side (63%) (P < 0·001). Before illumination, PpIX fluorescence intensity was higher on the CAL-assisted side (P = 0·048). The treatment was more painful on the CAL-PDT side, although well tolerated. The mean visual analogue scale score was 5·4 ± 1·4 on the CAL-PDT side and 4·0 ± 0·69 on the conventional MAL-PDT side (P = 0·001). Side-effects such as erythema (P = 0·019), oedema (P = 0·002) and crusts (P < 0·001) were more pronounced on the CAL-assisted side. Histopathological analyses were obtained from five patients and both sides showed improved keratinocyte atypia following PDT, with slightly more improvement on the CAL-assisted side.

CONCLUSIONS

CAL-assisted PDT proved to be safe and more effective than conventional MAL-PDT for the treatment of AKs on the scalp. CAL pretreatment increased PpIX accumulation within the skin and may have enhanced the efficacy in this first human trial.

Commentary on the "Evidence- and Consensus-Based (S3) Guidelines for the Treatment of Actinic Keratosis" Published by the International League of Dermatological Societies in Cooperation with the European Dermatology Forum

In 2015, the International League of Dermatological Societies and the European Dermatology Forum published a guideline for the treatment of actinic keratosis, which is classified as an evidence- and consensus-based S3 guideline. From the point of view of the GD Task Force "Licht.Hautkrebs.Prävention," an interdisciplinary expert panel of the Society for Dermopharmacy for the prevention and treatment of skin cancer, this guideline reveals strengths and weaknesses but, in summary, does not meet the claim for an evidence- and consensus-based S3 guideline.

Patient-reported health outcomes in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer and actinic keratosis: results from a large-scale observational study analysing effects of diagnoses and disease progression

BACKGROUND

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and actinic keratosis (AK) are very common among fair-skinned individuals. A disease continuum from AK to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has been frequently postulated. AK and NMSC may influence quality of life (QL) of patients, and it can be suspected that disease progression entails a QL reduction. The purpose of this study was to document QL in patients with NMSC and AK using the health-outcome questionnaire EQ-5D-5L.

METHODS

The study was designed as a non-interventional, prospective, cross-sectional study. Patients with AK, SCC, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or multiple diagnoses were enrolled in this study in 29 dermatological centres across Germany. Patients were asked to complete the EQ-5D-5L (compromising EQ Index and EQ VAS), and the dermatologists provided diagnosis, disease history and treatment data.

RESULTS

A total of 1184 patients were enrolled and diagnosed as follows: 73% AK, 49% BCC and 17% SCC. 66% had a single diagnosis, 28% two different diagnoses and 6% three different diagnoses. QL was strongly associated with patients' diagnosis. Patients with a single AK diagnosis had significantly higher mean EQ VAS (78) than patients with BCC (74), SCC (72), and BCC plus SCC (69), P < 0.050. When the effects of disease progression were calculated, patients with AK plus SCC reported significantly less mean EQ VAS (71) than patients with a single AK diagnosis (78), P < 0.011.

CONCLUSIONS

While rarely being imminently life-threatening, NMSC and AK have an impact on QL as quantified by the EQ-5D-5L. This impact is associated with diagnosis (AK vs. NMSC) and clinical progression (AK vs. AK plus SCC). Both lead to a clear decline in QL. This shows that disease progression is perceived and judged as detrimental by patients and that AK and NMSC should be diligently treated to preserve and restore QL.

Structured Expert Consensus on Actinic Keratosis: Treatment Algorithm Focusing on Daylight PDT

BACKGROUND

A practical and up-to-date consensus among experts is paramount to further improve patient care in actinic keratosis (AK).

OBJECTIVES

To develop a structured consensus statement on the diagnosis, classification, and practical management of AK based on up-to-date information.

METHODS

A systematic review of AK clinical guidelines was conducted. This informed the preparation of a 3-round Delphi procedure followed by a consensus meeting, which combined the opinions of 16 clinical experts from 13 countries, to construct a structured consensus statement and a treatment algorithm positioning daylight photodynamic therapy (dl-PDT) among other AK treatment options.

RESULTS

The systematic review found deficiencies in current guidelines with respect to new AK treatments such as ingenol mebutate and dl-PDT. The Delphi panel established consensus statements across definition, diagnosis, classification, and management of AK. While the diagnosis of AK essentially rests on the nature of lesions, treatment decisions are based on several clinical and nonclinical patient factors and diverse environmental attributes. Participants agreed on ranked treatment preferences for the management of AK and on classifying AK in 3 clinical situations: isolated AK lesions requiring lesion-directed treatment, multiple lesions within a small field, and multiple lesions within a large field, both requiring specific treatment approaches. Different AK treatment options were discussed for each clinical situation.

CONCLUSIONS

The results provide practical recommendations for the treatment of AK, which are readily transferable to clinical practice, and incorporate the physician's clinical judgement. The structured consensus statement positioned dl-PDT as a valuable option for patients with multiple AKs in small or large fields.

Structured Expert Consensus on Actinic Keratosis: Treatment Algorithm Focusing on Daylight PDT

Background:

A practical and up-to-date consensus among experts is paramount to further improve patient care in actinic keratosis (AK).

Objectives:

To develop a structured consensus statement on the diagnosis, classification, and practical management of AK based on up-to-date information.

Methods:

A systematic review of AK clinical guidelines was conducted. This informed the preparation of a 3-round Delphi procedure followed by a consensus meeting, which combined the opinions of 16 clinical experts from 13 countries, to construct a structured consensus statement and a treatment algorithm positioning daylight photodynamic therapy (dl-PDT) among other AK treatment options.

Results:

The systematic review found deficiencies in current guidelines with respect to new AK treatments such as ingenol mebutate and dl-PDT. The Delphi panel established consensus statements across definition, diagnosis, classification, and management of AK. While the diagnosis of AK essentially rests on the nature of lesions, treatment decisions are based on several clinical and nonclinical patient factors and diverse environmental attributes. Participants agreed on ranked treatment preferences for the management of AK and on classifying AK in 3 clinical situations: isolated AK lesions requiring lesion-directed treatment, multiple lesions within a small field, and multiple lesions within a large field, both requiring specific treatment approaches. Different AK treatment options were discussed for each clinical situation.

Conclusions:

The results provide practical recommendations for the treatment of AK, which are readily transferable to clinical practice, and incorporate the physician’s clinical judgement. The structured consensus statement positioned dl-PDT as a valuable option for patients with multiple AKs in small or large fields.

Use of Lesion Response Rate in Actinic Keratosis Trials

Complete patient clearance is often required by regulatory agencies for the approval of treatments for actinic keratosis (AK). However, an increasing number of clinicians have challenged the use of this measure in clinical practice and its interpretation. It has been argued that complete patient clearance often underestimates the clinical benefit of a drug and is influenced by a number of key confounding factors, such as number and distribution of lesions, at baseline. Lesions response rate is one alternative which has been suggested as more relevant due to its applicability to clinical practice and closer reflection of the clinical value of the drug. This paper provides an updated perspective on the topic and details the current thinking on the role of complete clearance and lesion response rate in the context of AK.

Funding: Galderma.

15th Annual Congress of the European Society for Photodynamic Therapy in Barcelona, Spain, February 12-13th 2016

We provide a summary of the presentations made at the recent Euro-PDT annual Congress. Presentations covered developments in topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) pertaining to dermatological applications. Recognizing the high prevalence and chronicity of actinic keratosis, one of the approved indications for PDT, there were recommendations to pursue field therapy to treat clinical and preclinical lesions. A separate section was reserved to review the strong evidence for the use of daylight PDT for actinic keratosis and experience of use of this well tolerated form of PDT was reported from several countries. Several presentations covered the remaining approved uses of topical PDT, Bowen’s disease and basal cell carcinomas, as well as considering its role in so far unapproved indications including photorejuvenation.

Funding: Galderma.

Photodynamic therapy for skin rejuvenation: review and summary of the literature--results of a consensus conference of an expert group for aesthetic photodynamic therapy

Skin rejuvenating effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for photoaged skin has been well-documented in several clinical trials. Different photosensitizers (5-aminolevulinic acid, methyl aminolevulinate) and diverse light sources (light-emitting diodes, lasers, intense pulsed light) have been used with promising results. An improvement of lentigines, skin roughness, fine lines and sallow complexion has been achieved with PDT. These clinically evident effects are at least in part due to histologically proven increase of collagen and decrease of elastotic material in the dermis. Effective improvement of photoaged skin, simultaneous treatment and possibly also prevention of actinic keratoses, the possibility of repeated treatments and, in contrast to other procedures, limited and calculable side effects make PDT a promising procedure for skin rejuvenation.

Clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of human skin field cancerization before and after photodynamic therapy

BACKGROUND

The field cancerization concept in photodamaged patients suggests that the entire sun-exposed surface of the skin has an increased risk for the development of (pre)-malignant lesions, mainly epithelial tumours. Topical photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a noninvasive therapeutic method for multiple actinic keratosis (AK) with excellent outcome.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical, histological and immunohistochemical changes in human skin with field cancerization after multiple sessions of PDT with methyl-aminolaevulinate (MAL).

METHODS

Twenty-six patients with photodamaged skin and multiple AK on the face received three consecutive sessions of MAL-PDT with red light (37 J cm(-2)), 1 month apart. Biopsies before and 3 months after the last treatment session were taken from normal-appearing skin on the field-cancerized area. Immunohistochemical stainings were performed for TP-53, procollagen-I, metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and tenascin-C (Tn-C).

RESULTS

All 26 patients completed the study. The global score for photodamage improved considerably in all patients (P < 0·001). The AK clearance rate was 89·5% at the end of the study. Two treatment sessions were as effective as three MAL-PDT sessions. A significant decrease in atypia grade and extent of keratinocyte atypia was observed histologically (P < 0·001). Also, a significant increase in collagen deposition (P = 0·001) and improvement of solar elastosis (P = 0·002) were noticed after PDT. However, immunohistochemistry showed only a trend for decreased TP-53 expression (not significant), increased procollagen-I and MMP-1 expressions (not significant) and an increased expression of Tn-C (P = 0·024).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical and histological improvement in field cancerization after multiple sessions of MAL-PDT is proven. The decrease in severity and extent of keratinocyte atypia associated with a decreased expression of TP-53 suggest a reduced carcinogenic potential of the sun-damaged area. The significant increase of new collagen deposition and the reduction of solar elastosis explain the clinical improvement of photodamaged skin.