by Allison Sit
The Journal of Drugs in Dermatology made news in Healio recently with several articles including one about a combination therapy for non-melanoma skin cancer. The study, “Cryosurgery and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Therapy for Treatment of Bowen’s Disease and Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma,” was conducted by researchers in Canada. They performed a retrospective chart review to examine the clinical cure rate of Bowen’s disease and superficial basal cell carcinoma using a single cycle of cryotherapy followed by a three to four week course of topical 5-fluorouracil (5FU). In looking at 310 cases, researchers found a clearance rate of 90% for Bowen’s disease and 86.9% for superficial basal cell carcinoma at 6 months from initial treatment. The researchers wrote that this combination treatment may be an effective strategy for treating these non-melanoma skin cancers without the need for invasive procedures.
Healio also wrote about a JDD study on the use of super-oxidized hypochlorous acid in hair restoration treatment. Dow Stough, MD, with The Stough Clinics of Hair Restoration, wrote, “Topical Stabilized Super-Oxidized Hypochlorous Acid for Wound Healing in Hair Restoration Surgery: A Real-Time Usage-Controlled Trial Evaluating Safety, Efficacy, and Tolerability.” The multi-site study involved 35 patients who were undergoing repeat or initial hair restoration surgery. Surgeons used a spray bottle of super-oxidized hypochlorous acid (HOCI) prior to and throughout the surgical procedure. In addition, patients received a ten-day supply of HOCI for use after the procedure. Patients and surgeons then participated in observational surveys about healing and the usage of the products. More than half of the patients (56%) had significant reduction in the amount of erythema compared to the current wound healing regimen. In addition, more than half of patients (54%) had significant improvement of pruritis. Dr. Stough wrote that HOCI represents a major advance in wound cleansing and healing.
And finally, Healio also wrote about a JDD study on a salicylic acid-containing dermoscosmetic for acne. The study, “A Salicylic Acid-Based Dermocosmetic is Effective as an Adjunct to Benzoyl Peroxide for Mild to Moderate Acne and as Monotherapy in Maintenance Post Benzoyl Peroxide,” was conducted by researchers in France. The single-center, randomized, double-blind study was conducted in 100 patients with mild to moderate facial acne. In phase 1, subjects received either benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and the vehicle or BPO and the dermoscosmetic, which contained salicylic acid, niacinamide and thermal spring water. In phase 2, subjects were re-randomized to receive either the vehicle or the dermocosmetic for another 12 weeks of maintenance therapy. Researchers found patients using BPO and either the vehicle or the dermoscosmetic reached the same efficacy level at three months. However, patients using the dermocosmetic in phase 2 continued to significantly improve while patients using the vehicle reported acne relapses. Researchers wrote that the use of the dermocosmetic as part of maintenance post-BPO allowed for a significantly reduced risk of acne relapse.
