Tolerability of Ingenol Mebutate Gel, 0.05%, for Treating Patients with Actinic Keratosis on the Scalp in a Community Dermatology Practice.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of treatment of actinic keratosis on the scalp with two consecutive, once-daily applications of ingenol mebutate gel, 0.05%.

DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

SETTING

Community dermatology practice.

PARTICIPANTS

Male patients (N=78) with a long history of recurrent and relapsed scalp actinic keratosis.

MEASUREMENTS

This chart review extracted non-identifying information on patients' medical history, pertinent history of actinic keratosis and skin cancer, and prior actinic keratosis treatments. Also collected was information on patients' treatment of scalp actinic keratosis with ingenol mebutate gel, 0.05%, including the occurrence of local skin reactions and their treatment, adverse events, and efficacy results at short-term and additional follow-up.

RESULTS

In these patients, a significant proportion of the scalp had numerous actinic keratoses that were often recurrent and/or hyperkeratotic. Most patients (83%) received cryosurgery to visible scalp actinic keratoses two weeks before ingenol mebutate treatment. Local skin reactions developed on the first day of topical treatment, were predominantly mild or moderate in intensity, and generally were resolved by 10 to 14 days. Local skin reactions were treated with a topical moisturizing product in 44 percent of the patients. Nearly half (45%) of the patients experienced application-site reactions, described as a combination of burning, itching, pain, and/or tenderness; the reactions were mild or moderate in intensity and lasted only a few days.

CONCLUSIONS

Ingenol mebutate gel, 0.05%, had a good safety and tolerability profile when used to treat scalp actinic keratosis in patients who had a prolonged history of actinic keratosis.