Ingenol Mebutate Gel for Actinic Keratosis

Actinic keratosis is a common precursor to squamous-cell carcinoma. Several topical treatments are effective but require weeks of application. In four randomized trials, topical treatment with ingenol mebutate for 2 to 3 days was effective in clearing actinic keratoses. Actinic keratoses are premalignant lesions that are common in light-skinned populations worldwide. 1 In the United States, the most common form of lesion-directed therapy for actinic keratoses is cryosurgery, although other locally ablative therapies are used. 2 In addition to potential scarring, recurrence rates are high with some of these treatment approaches. 3 Other treatments for actinic keratosis are applied to an entire field of sun-damaged skin, and many studies have shown the emergence of clinically visible actinic keratoses after application. These treatments include imiquimod, fluorouracil, diclofenac, and photodynamic therapy. 1 Drawbacks to the self-applied topical field therapies currently available include a long duration . . .