Hexadecylphosphocholine in the topical treatment of skin metastases in breast cancer patients.

Widespread local recurrence of breast cancer, untreatable by surgery or radiation therapy, can present a serious therapeutic problem predominantly in patients refractory to systemic therapy. In a phase I trial hexadecylphosphocholine, a new agent with high membrane affinity and antineoplastic activity was applied topically to affected skin areas of breast cancer patients. The results provide evidence that hexadecylphosphocholine may be an active agent in the topical treatment of skin metastases.