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5-FU cream, peels offer similar benefits for photodamaged forearm treatment

Five percent 5-fluorouracil cream and peels were shown to be equally effective in the treatment of photodamaged forearms, according to study results.

The interventional, comparative, evaluator-blind study comprised 32 patients with advanced photoaging on the forearms, multiple superficial actinic keratoses and compliance to twice-daily sun protection.

Patients’ forearms were randomly assigned to daily application of 5% 5-fluorouracil (FU) cream at night for 28 days on one forearm, and four sequential weekly peels with a combination of Jessner’s solution and 5% 5-FU in propylene glycol on the other, which was removed 12 hours later. SPF 40 sunscreen was used twice daily, and emollient was applied when necessary.

The researchers assessed efficacy based on clinical photodamage scores, patient and researcher opinion, and blind photographic evaluation by independent observers. Skin biopsies were used for immunohistochemical and histologic analyses, and an observation of adverse events was used to evaluate safety.

No differences were reported between the cream and peels for any of the clinical parameters evaluated, according to the researchers. Blind photographic evaluations also revealed no difference in overall skin appearance between treatments; however, the researchers did observe an improvement with respect to time, especially after 6 months.

After 90 days, patient satisfaction was equal between the two treatments. Additionally, at least one of the three evaluators identified reduction in the degree of photoaging.

Both treatments also resulted in a significant reduction in epidermal p53 expression and an increase in procollagen I level, according to the researchers.

Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.