Combination 5-FU/Calcipotriene Cream Shows Promise in Treating Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Study
USA: A recent pilot study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology has shown that a combination topical cream containing 5% 5-fluorouracil and 0.005% calcipotriene is significantly more effective in treating cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCC) than a placebo. This innovative treatment approach could offer new hope for patients facing this common form of skin cancer.
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a well-established chemotherapeutic agent commonly used for various types of skin cancer due to its ability to inhibit cellular proliferation. Calcipotriene, a synthetic derivative of vitamin D3, is known for regulating skin cell growth and differentiation. The synergistic effect of these two agents in a topical formulation offers a novel therapeutic strategy for addressing cutaneous malignancies.
Currently, there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical treatments specifically for squamous carcinoma in situ. Given that the combination of topical 5-FU and calcipotriene is effective for treating actinic keratoses, Riya T. Patel, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, and colleagues investigated its potential application for SCCIS.
This randomized single-blinded study evaluated the outcomes in 24 patients with biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Participants were treated with either a placebo cream applied twice daily or cream containing 5-fluorouracil 5.0% and calcipotriene 0.005%, also applied twice daily, for 7 or 14 days.
The study led to the following findings:
- After tumor excision, the proportion of patients with histological clearance was significantly higher in the 7-day (83.3%) and 14-day (87.5%) treatment groups than in the placebo group.
- Two patients receiving treatment developed eruptive squamous atypia within the scar 2 to 3 months after excision, whereas none of those receiving placebo experienced any adverse events.
Overall, the pilot study presents encouraging evidence for using a combination of topical 5-fluorouracil and calcipotriene in treating cutaneous SCC in situ. As further research is conducted, this innovative approach could lead to more effective and safer treatment options for patients, ultimately improving outcomes in managing skin cancer. The findings underscore the need for continued exploration of combination therapies in dermatologic oncology.
Reference:
Patel, R. T., Fagan, K. K., Quan, E. Y., Johnson, N. M., Tegge, A. N., Holliday, A. C., Grider, D. J., Rush, P. S., Prickett, K. A., Eikenberg, J. D., & Phillips, M. A. (2024). Combination topical 5-fluorouracil 5%/calcipotriene 0.005% cream for the treatment of cutaneous in situ squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2024.08.039
