Effect of dosing frequency on the safety and efficacy of imiquimod 5% cream for treatment of actinic keratosis on the forearms and hands: a phase II, randomized placebo-controlled trial

Clinical studies in cutaneous conditions other than actinic keratosis (AK) have revealed that the safety and efficacy profile of imiquimod is influenced by dosing frequency.Objectives  To evaluate dosing frequency response of imiquimod 5% for treatment of AK.Methods  This was a phase II, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Adults with ≥ 10 but ≤ 50 clinical AKs, one of which was histologically confirmed, were randomized (4 : 1) to 2–6 packets of imiquimod or placebo cream applied to the dorsum of the forearms and hands once daily 2, 3, 5 or 7 times per week for 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was complete clearance of AKs in the treatment area at 8 weeks post-treatment.Results  One hundred and forty-nine (94 men and 54 women) white subjects, with a mean ± SD age of 71 ± 10·2 years, were enrolled. Twenty-eight subjects (18·8%) discontinued from study: 0%, 3·1%, 6·9%, 30·0% and 33·3% withdrew for local skin reactions or adverse events in the combined placebo, and in the imiquimod 2, 3, 5 or 7 times per week groups, respectively. Seven serious adverse events occurred; none was related to the study drug. Median baseline lesions ranged from 38 to 40 for the treatment groups. Complete clearance was achieved in 0%, 3·2%, 6·9%, 3·3% and 6·7% of subjects, and partial clearance (≥ 75% lesion reduction) in 0%, 22·6%, 24·1%, 20·0% and 36·7% of subjects for the placebo and imiquimod 2, 3, 5 or 7 times per week regimens, respectively.Conclusions  Imiquimod 5% applied more frequently than 3 times per week to AKs was not well tolerated. Complete clearance rates were low; however, partial clearance rates increased with increased dosing frequency (P = 0·002).