Cutaneous Oncology: Maui Derm 2019 Highlights

In the first cutaneous oncology session of the meeting, George Martin, MD, Brian Berman, MD, PhD, Ted Rosen, MD, and Neal Bhatia, MD provided attendees with their presentation, Actinic Keratosis Update and Pearls 2019.

To start the presentation, the importance of treating every AK due to the inability to predict which AKs will eventuate into invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was emphasized. Language used to communicate treatment urgency to patients, as well as adherence, persistence, and therapy preferences among patients with AKs was discussed. New diagnostic approaches for AKs, including optical coherence tomography and thermal imaging were presented. Treatment guidelines for AKs were compared.

Dr. Berman elaborated on topical treatment of actinic keratosis, including 5-Fluorouracil; imiquimod 5%, 3.75%, and 2.5%; diclofenac 3% gel; and ingenol mebutate. Future treatments on the horizon for AKs were also discussed, including KX2-391 ointment, VDA-1102 ointment, SR-T100 gel, and Actikerall (LAS41005). Dr. Rosen also highlighted two “wild suggestions” for the future of AK treatment: a green tea extract and honey.

Drs. Martin and Bhatia provided attendees with an update on photodynamic therapy for the treatment of actinic keratoses, including a PDT clinical consensus guide, approved light sources, and commercially available products such as 20% aminolevulinic acid (ALA) solution and a new 10% ALA gel. PDT topics also covered included daylight mediated PDT, methods for painless in-office PDT, and increasing the cost-effectiveness of PDT.