The Effect of Efudex Treatment on Photoaged Skin - Full Text View

Sponsor:	University of Michigan
Collaborator:	Valeant Pharmaceuticals International
Information provided by:	University of Michigan
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00121511

Purpose

The researchers propose that skin improvements may be seen following a course of Efudex, (5-fluorouracil), a FDA-approved topical therapy (applied directly to the skin). These improvements could be the result of both a reduction of actinic keratoses (small red horny growths or flesh-colored wartlike growths caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation or the sun) and improvement of sun-damaged skin.

In addition, this research study is being done to determine if the expression of p53, a tumor suppressor gene (its activity stops the formation of tumors), is decreased following Efudex treatment. Mutations (abnormal changes) in the gene, called p53, are associated with a certain type of skin cancer. In addition, p53-mutated genes are known to exist in non-cancerous sun-damaged skin. Thus, the presence of p53 mutations may serve as a marker for both sun damage and an elevated risk of developing skin cancer.

Condition	Intervention
Photoaging of Skin Keratosis	Drug: Efudex (5-fluorouracil)

Study Type:	Interventional
Study Design:	Treatment, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Uncontrolled, Single Group Assignment, Efficacy Study
Official Title:	The Effect of Efudex (5-Fluorouracil) Treatment on Photoaged Skin

Resource links provided by NLM:

MedlinePlus related topics: Cancer

Drug Information available for: Fluorouracil

U.S. FDA Resources

Further study details as provided by University of Michigan:

Primary Outcome Measures:

Actinic Keratoses resolution and improvement in photoaging

Secondary Outcome Measures:

Changes in p53 immunostaining intensity will be used to assess response
Collagen production will be evaluated by Western blotting, immunohistology, and RT-PCR

Enrollment:	21
Study Start Date:	July 2005
Study Completion Date:	July 2007

Detailed Description:

Efudex (5-fluorouracil) has been used as topical chemotherapy for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AKs) since the 1950's. Through many years of use, Efudex has been deemed to be a safe and effective therapy. It requires, however, a high level of patient compliance and is known to cause a vigorous inflammatory reaction when actinic keratoses are treated. It has the distinct advantage of identifying precancerous skin lesions not apparent on clinical inspection or palpation. Following a course of Efudex to the face, patients have been noted to have fewer signs of dermatoheliosis.

The investigators propose to determine if Efudex is associated with improvement of aging skin in the setting of treating actinic keratoses. The researchers hope to demonstrate less p53 staining following Efudex treatment. It is proposed that the skin improvements seen following a course of Efudex are due to both reduction of actinic keratoses and impact on photoaging. The researchers propose to quantify the effects of Efudex therapy on the immunohistochemical staining properties of facial skin with respect to p53 and procollagen. The hypothesis is that Efudex therapy will decrease p53 immunostaining thus providing biochemical evidence to support this treatment in the reduction of actinic keratoses with concomitant improvement of aging skin.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:	50 Years and older
Genders Eligible for Study:	Both
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:	Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Age 50 or older of either gender.
Patients must have actinic keratoses
Patients must have clinical photoaging judged by rhytides, dyspigmentation, poikiloderma, lentigines, skin thinning, and/or telangiectases.
Subjects must be in generally good health and willing to undergo skin biopsies from the face.
Subjects must be willing and able to comply with the requirements of the protocol.
You must live within a reasonable driving distance of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and/or be able to attend all of the scheduled appointments during the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

Oral retinoid therapy (such as Accutane) within two months of study entry.
Topical retinoid, imiquimod, or diclofenac therapy within 2 months of study entry.
Prior laser re-surfacing, chemical peels for actinic keratoses or aging skin.
Pregnant or nursing subjects.
Non-compliant subjects.
Subjects with a significant medical history or concurrent illness that the investigator feels is not safe for study participation.
Prior systemic treatment with 5-fluorouracil.
Known history of allergy to lidocaine (numbing medication), 5-fluoruracil, or any other known components of Efudex.

Contacts and Locations

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00121511

Locations

United States, Michigan
University of Michigan Department of Dermatology
Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109

Sponsors and Collaborators

University of Michigan

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International

Investigators

Study Chair:

John J Voorhees, MD

University of Michigan

More Information

No publications provided

Study ID Numbers:	Derm 549, 2005-0368
Study First Received:	July 13, 2005
Last Updated:	August 6, 2008
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:	NCT00121511 History of Changes
Health Authority:	United States: Institutional Review Board

Keywords provided by University of Michigan:

photoaging
Actinic Keratoses
Efudex
5 fluorouracil

Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Antimetabolites
Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
Keratosis
Immunologic Factors
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Skin Diseases

Antineoplastic Agents
Therapeutic Uses
Fluorouracil
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Immunosuppressive Agents
Pharmacologic Actions

ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on November 11, 2009