Failure of imiquimod 5% cream to prevent recurrence of surgically excised trunk keloids.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Keloids are characterized by benign proliferation of fibroblasts in the setting of an altered cytokine profile, with a high recurrence rate after surgical treatment. Imiquimod is a topically applied immune-response modifier. Recently, auxiliary therapy using imiquimod 5% cream to prevent keloid recurrence after excisional surgery was reported to have had good results.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of topical imiquimod 5% cream applied after surgical excision and primary closure of trunk keloids in the prevention of recurrence.

METHOD:

Nine patients with a keloid lesion on the trunk were treated with surgical excision and primary closure. Daily application of imiquimod 5% cream for 8 weeks was initiated the night of surgery. The patients were evaluated 2, 4, 8, 12, and 20 weeks after.

RESULTS:

Keloid recurrence occurred in eight patients, seven of them 12 weeks after surgery. We lost track of one patient.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study suggest that imiquimod 5% cream is not effective in preventing recurrence of trunk keloids after surgical excision. Although this is a small case series, results strongly discourage other studies using imiquimod 5% cream in the prevention of surgically excised trunk keloids.

• Authors: Fernanda Marson Cação, Vanessa Tanaka, Maria Cristina de Lourenzo Messina
• Journal: Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.] (Dermatol Surg) Vol. 35 Issue 4 Pg. 629-33 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1524-4725 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19415792 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Aminoquinolines
• Emollients
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage)
• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Aminoquinolines (administration & dosage)
• Emollients
• Female
• Humans
• Imiquimod
• Keloid (drug therapy, surgery)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Secondary Prevention
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult