How It Works
Imiquimod (Aldara™) 5% cream is the first new treatment for superficial basal cell skin cancer in 30 years. The first line treatment for most skin cancers has been their surgical removal. This novel treatment uses another strategy. This drug, which is applied 5 times per week to the superficial basal cell cancer, produces an inflammation. This inflammation is the body's immune response. The drug then directs cells in the skin to produce substances such as interferon and tumour necrosis factor, which is nature's way of attacking viruses and cancers.
What Kind Of Skin Cancers Can It Treat?
Actinic kurtosis:
This cream was initially developed to treat genital warts. (Click on Wart Treatment by Type of Drug and Procedure for more information). It was then approved for the treatment of actinic kurtosis. These are red scaly precancerous spots usually in fair skinned people who have had a great deal of sun exposure over many years.
Basal cell cancer:
There are many subtypes of basal cell cancers. This cream has gained approval for the superficial type only as the atypical cells are close to the surface where the cream can readily penetrate. It is an exciting time when new ways of treatments are developed to challenge the conventional methods. With time and experience, such treatments might become commonplace, not just to treat skin cancers but perhaps to be applied to sun damaged skin in order to attempt to prevent new cancers.
Possible future indications:
Melanomas are the most serious types of skin cancers. The vast majority of these lesions are pigmented, only a small percentage are without a dark pigmentation. About ˝ of these develop from preexisting moles and the others arise from normal, but usually sun damaged skin. Since the skin is visible, great efforts have been made to teach patients, the public, and all types of health professionals the features of melanomas. Melanomas that are treated early can be cured, so rapid diagnosis is best.
