Treatment Motivations and Expectations in Patients with Actinic Keratosis: A German-Wide Multicenter, Cross-Sectional Trial

Needs and challenges among general practitioners in the management of actinic keratosis: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

Because of the increasing incidence of actinic keratosis (AK), optimal use of limited healthcare resources is essential. Although most patients can be managed in primary care, dermatology referrals are common. More profound knowledge of general practitioners' (GPs) considerations might assist in enhancing AK care.

METHODS

The aim of the current study was to gain insight into AK management in primary care by exploring the needs and challenges among GPs in the Netherlands. A qualitative study was conducted based on semi-structured in-depth interviews with 15 conveniently sampled Dutch GPs, focusing on the needs and challenges in AK management. A literature-informed, predefined topic list guided the interviews, which were recorded, transcribed ad verbatim, and thematically analysed using the Framework Method.

RESULTS

All GPs reported AK to be a clinical diagnosis and most GPs indicated that most AK patients could be managed in primary care. Cryotherapy was preferred and experience with 5-FU therapy was limited. Most GPs applied cryotherapy without discussing other treatment options with patients. Reasons for dermatology referrals included an incomplete treatment response, extensive lesions, difficult-to-treat areas, and serious doubts about the diagnosis. GPs reported a need for more education, especially on 5-FU therapy. Their main challenges were dealing with diagnostic uncertainty, treating extensive lesions, managing treatment-related skin reactions, and reconciling patient misconceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows various AK management approaches among Dutch GPs with suboptimal guideline compliance due to diverse underlying barriers. It suggests that more education might contribute to a more standardised and uniform AK management and supports further transition of AK care from hospital to primary care.

Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of 4% 5-Fluorouracil Cream in Patients with Actinic Keratosis: An Expert Opinion

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.

A Review of MAL-PDT for the Treatment Strategy of Actinic Keratosis: Broader Clinical Perspectives Beyond the Data and Guideline Recommendations

Methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is a topical compound approved for use with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of actinic keratosis (AK) and field cancerization in certain countries. There exists a high burden of disease for patients with AK: repeated treatments are required, there is a known risk of progression to keratinocyte carcinoma, and cosmetic appearance is affected. Delivery of PDT using MAL is a flexible treatment strategy available in many forms; red light, daylight, or artificial daylight can be used for illumination, all of which result in high AK clearance rates and low recurrence. MAL-PDT protocols continue to evolve to further improve adherence and treatment outcomes. Here, we used PubMed to search MEDLINE to identify guidelines, consensus recommendations, and studies describing the use of MAL for the treatment of AK. The aim of this targeted review is to consider various MAL-PDT treatment strategies on the basis of published literature, with a focus on personalizing treatment for the heterogeneous AK population.

Spontaneous regression rates of actinic keratosis: a systematic review and pooled analysis of randomized controlled trials

Actinic keratosis (AK) are precancerous lesions of the skin which may progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. However, single lesions may also persist or even regress and heal spontaneously. Until now, evidence on the natural course of AK including spontaneous regression is limited. We aimed to synthesize regression rates of AK. We performed a systematic literature research in Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL for eligible trials until 3rd March 2020. Spontaneous regression rates were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate pooled proportions of participant-specific and lesion-specific complete clearance rates reported for the placebo arms of randomized controlled trials. Subgroup analyses were performed to dissect differences according to the type of placebo, immunocompetence of the participants, and localization of the lesions. Data from 38 records was included. The pooled participant-specific clearance rate was 8% (95% CI 6–10%, I² = 71%) while the lesion-specific clearance rate was 23% (95% CI 16–31%, I² = 97%). The highest participant- and lesion-specific clearance rates were achieved 12 weeks after the end of treatment (12% and 33%, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed participant- as well as lesion-specific clearance rates of 0% for organ transplant recipients (OTR). We conclude that only a few participants achieve complete regression of their AK without any active treatment. Besides, the results underline that lesion clearance without active treatment is unlikely in OTR. Thus, early and consequent treatment of AK is recommended. Special attention should be paid when treating AK of OTR.

Topical Pharmacotherapy for Actinic Keratoses in Older Adults

Actinic keratosis is caused by excessive lifetime sun exposure. It must be treated, regardless of thickness, because it is the biologic precursor of invasive squamous cell carcinoma, a potentially deadly malignancy. Physical ablative techniques such as cryotherapy, lasers, and curettage are the most used treatments for isolated lesions. Multiple lesions are treated with topical drugs, chemical peelings, and physical techniques. Drug preparations containing diclofenac plus hyaluronate, aminolevulinic acid, and methyl aminolevulinate and different concentrations of imiquimod and 5-fluorouracil are approved for this clinical indication. All treatments have a good profile of efficacy and tolerability although there are relevant differences in the clearance rate, tolerability, and type and frequency of adverse effects. In addition, they have very different mechanisms of action and treatment protocols. No differences in the efficacy and tolerability were found in older patients compared with younger patients, therefore no dose adjustments are needed. That said, older patients often need to be motivated to treat actinic keratoses and a careful attention to expectations, needs, and preferences should be used to obtain the maximal adherence and prevent treatment failure. This goal can be achieved with a careful evaluation not only of published efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability data but also of practical topics such as the frequency of daily applications, the overall duration of therapy, and the need for a caregiver. Finally, particular attention must be paid in the case of frail patients and immunosuppressed patients.

Update aktinische Keratosen – Neuigkeiten und Relevanz für den Alltag

Ziel der Arbeit Die im März 2020 zuletzt überarbeitete Leitlinie „Aktinische Keratosen und Plattenepithelkarzinome der Haut“ hat aufgrund der Zunahme der klinischen Studien zum Thema aktinische Keratosen den höchsten Grad für Methodik (S3) erreicht, da diese nicht nur konsensbasiert sondern auch evidenzbasiert verfasst wurde. Diesen Entwicklungen gerecht zu werden und den klinisch relevanten Teil des aktuellen Stands des Wissens zu vermitteln, ist Ziel dieses Artikels.

Methodik Anhand der aktuellen epidemiologischen Lage wird der dramatisch wachsende Bedarf für das bessere Verständnis der Ätiologie aktinischer Keratosen deutlich. Ebenso gilt es, Patienten mit aktinischen Keratosen und therapiebedürftigen Ko-Morbiditäten vor einem therapiebedingten, erhöhten Risiko für die Entwicklung weiterer aktinischer Keratosen oder Plattenepithelkarzinomen zu bewahren. Die Möglichkeit der Spontanremission aktinischer Keratosen sollte ebenso wenig vernachlässigt werden wie eine mögliche Progredienz in ein Plattenepithelkarzinom. Die kontroverse Diskussion der fortwährend postulierten, sequenziellen Abfolge der histologischen Grade aktinischer Keratosen zum Plattenepithelkarzinom beinhaltet klinische und histologische Fallstricke. Diese sollten bei der Therapieentscheidung ebenso bedacht werden wie die Wünsche und Erwartungen der Patienten an ein Therapieregime. Eine bleibende Schwierigkeit ist die fehlende Standardisierung erhobener Daten zu den zahlreichen zur Verfügung stehenden Therapieoptionen. Das Potenzial dieses Forschungsgebietes für neue Therapiealternativen und präventive Maßnahmen lässt nach wie vor auf weitere, interessante Entwicklungen hoffen.

Ergebnisse Der gut etablierte kausale Zusammenhang zwischen kumulativer UV-Strahlung in der Entwicklung von Plattenepithelkarzinomen und aktinischer Keratosen hat zur Anerkennung berufsbedingter UV-Exposition als Berufserkrankung geführt, die auch die Anerkennung multipler aktinischer Keratosen als Berufserkrankung beinhaltet. Das therapeutische Handeln sollte durch die Gesamtanzahl der aktinischen Keratosen, das Ausmaß der betroffenen Fläche, die Dynamik des Krankheitsgeschehens und den Wunsch des Patienten bestimmt werden. Ein besonderes Augenmerk sollte auf den Patienten liegen, denen die Krankheitseinsicht fehlt oder die nur wenig motiviert zur Therapie sind. Es könnte der Schlüssel zur Verbesserung der Therapieadhärenz und Akzeptanz sein, diese Patienten zu erkennen und ihre Bedürfnisse in das Arzt-Patienten-Gespräch zu integrieren. Die Differenzierung zwischen lokalisierten aktinischen Keratosen und einer Feldkanzerisierung stellt ein wichtiges Entscheidungskriterium für die Wahl der empfohlenen Therapie dar. Die Rücknahme der Zulassung von Ingenolmebutat in der EU durch die EMA im Jahr 2020 hat das Spektrum der lokaltherapeutischen Optionen eingeschränkt. Der periinterventionelle Schmerz ist nach wie vor der limitierende Faktor für die konventionelle photodynamische Therapie, jedoch schreitet die Entwicklung für schmerzärmere Varianten weiter voran. Es ist zu erwarten, dass sich in den kommenden Jahren durch eine bessere Evidenzlage für weitere systemische oder lokaltherapeutische Optionen neue Behandlungsstrategien ergeben werden. Besonders im Fokus wird sicherlich nach wie vor die Präventionsforschung stehen, die v. a. den Erhalt einer erzielten Remission beinhaltet.

Schlussfolgerung Die aktuellen Forschungsergebnisse und -bestrebungen zur Thematik der aktinischen Keratosen sind aufgrund des zukünftig gesteigerten Bedarfes zum einen notwendig und zum anderen sehr ermutigend. Das Ende des therapeutischen Horizonts ist gegenwärtig noch nicht erreicht.

A multicenter retrospective analysis of the clinical and pathological characteristics of 1188 cases of actinic keratosis in different ultraviolet radiation intensity areas of China

BACKGROUND

Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous disease, caused by ultraviolet radiation (UV).

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics of AK in four areas with different ultraviolet radiation intensities.

METHODS

1188 diagnosed AK patients, from January 2000 to July 2015, in dermatology department of four hospitals were collected. The UV intensity of hospital located cities from high to low is Kunming, Yinchuan, Shenyang and Nanjing. The information comes from medical records, and the pathological types and Keratinocyte Intraepithelial Neoplasia (KIN) grades were checked by two experienced pathologists. All information was conducted a retrospective multicenter research.

RESULTS

The patients were mainly middle-aged and elderly female, which was in direct contrast to the majority of men in European. The age of onset in Kunming group was lower than that in Yinchuan Group (p = 0.013) and Nanjing Group (p < 0.01). The course of disease in Kunming group was significantly shorter than that in Nanjing Group (p < 0.001). The lesions were almost located in the exposed area. The proportion of unexposed areas in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other groups (p < 0.001). There were statistical differences in pathological morphological classification among the four groups. These differences were not affected by age and gender. The number of KIN III grade patients in Shenyang group was significantly higher than that in other three groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Asian patients were mainly female. The clinical characteristics of AK are closely related to UV intensity, and environmental pollution, lifestyle, religious beliefs and other factors are also related.

A Critical Appraisal of Evidence- and Consensus-Based Guidelines for Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratoses (AK) are common lesions of the skin that can be effectively treated with several lesion- and field-directed treatments. Clinical practice guidelines assist physicians in choosing the appropriate treatment options for their patients. Here, we aimed to systematically identify and evaluate the methodological quality of currently available guidelines for AK. Guidelines published within the last 5 years were identified in a systematic search of guideline databases, Medline and Embase. Then, six independent reviewers evaluated the methodological quality using the tools "Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation" (AGREE II) and "Recommendation EXcellence" (AGREE-REX). The Kruskal-Wallis (H) test was used to explore differences among subgroups and Spearman's correlation to examine the relationship between individual domains. Three guidelines developed by consortia from Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom were eligible for the evaluation. The German guideline achieved the highest scores, fulfilling 65 to 92% of the criteria in AGREE II and 67 to 84% in AGREE-REX, whereas the Canadian guideline scored 31 to 71% of the criteria in AGREE II and 33 to 46% in AGREE-REX. The domains "stakeholder involvement" and "values and preferences" were identified as methodological weaknesses requiring particular attention and improvement in future guideline efforts.