New Skin Cancer Treatment Approved
FDA Approves New Use of Drug to
Treat Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma, a
Type of Skin Cancer
July 15, 2004 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval of a new indication for Aldara (the generic name is imiquimod), a topical cream (that is put on the skin).
This product is currently approved for the
treatment of actinic keratosis and external genital warts. Actinic keratosis can lead to some types of skin cancer.
Today, the FDA is approving the use of Aldara for the treatment of superficial basal cell
carcinoma (sBCC), a very common type of skin cancer . This type of skin cancer is diagnosed by a healthcare provider after biopsy
and is different from other types of skin cancer including other types of basal cell carcinoma.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma is usually treated by
surgical removal. Aldara should be used for treatment of sBCC only when surgery is medically less appropriate, because the chances of effectively treating sBCC are generally greater with surgery. Patients treated with Aldara for sBCC should have regular follow-up visits after treatment to make sure the skin cancer is completely
treated.
The safety and effectiveness of Aldara were established
in two double-blind controlled studies with approximately 364 patients. In these
studies, 75% of patients (139/185) who had their sBCC treated with Aldara had no
evidence clinically or on repeat biopsy of their sBCC at 12 weeks after finishing
treatment. In a separate long-term study involving 182 patients, 79% of patients
had no evidence of their sBCC at two years after finishing treatment.
Skin cancer can occur anywhere on the body, but it is
most common on skin that has been exposed to sunlight. The most common type of
skin cancer is basal cell carcinoma, affecting at least 800,000 Americans each
year. The superficial type of basal cell carcinoma usually occurs on the arms,
legs or on parts of the body such as the chest or back. Now FDA is approving
Aldara for treatment of sBCC on the body, neck, arms or legs, but not for treatment of sBCC on the face.
Most patients using Aldara Cream for the treatment of sBCC experienced skin
reactions at the treatment site, which include redness, swelling, a sore or
blister, peeling, itching, and burning.
Source: FDA press release #P04-66 (with editing by MedicineNet for purposes of clarity and concision).
Last Editorial Review: 7/20/2004
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