Treatment of keloid scars post-shave excision with imiquimod 5% cream: A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

No effective treatment exists for permanent keloid removal. When applied to excised-sites, imiquimod 5% cream reduces keloid recurrence. Case series suggest the tolerability and efficacy of imiquimod 5% application to sites of shaved keloids; however, this has not been verified in placebo-controlled studies.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the tolerability and compare the efficacy of imiquimod 5% and vehicle cream in lowering keloid recurrence after shaving.

METHODS:

Twenty randomized, shaved keloids were administered imiquimod 5% or vehicle cream nightly for two weeks, and then given three times a week under occlusion for one month. Pain, tenderness, pruritus and keloid recurrence were evaluated at baseline, week 2, week 6 and 6 months.

TOLERABILITY:

Tenderness and pain were significantly (p = 0. 02 and p = 0. 02, respectively) higher at week 2 in the imiquimod group than for those treated with vehicle cream. Pruritus did not attain statistical difference between the groups.

EFFICACY:

At 6 months, keloid recurrence rates were 37.5% (3/8) in the imiquimod group and 75% (3/4) in the vehicle group, p = 0.54.

CONCLUSION:

Imiquimod was well tolerated. There was not enough statistical power to detect a significant difference in six-month keloid recurrence rates between the two treated groups.

• Authors: Brian Berman, Catherine Harrison-Balestra, Oliver A Perez, Martha Viera, Adriana Villa, Deborah Zell, Claudia Ramirez
• Journal: Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (J Drugs Dermatol) Vol. 8 Issue 5 Pg. 455-8 (May 2009) ISSN: 1545-9616 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19537368 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Aminoquinolines
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Administration, Topical
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Aminoquinolines (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Humans
• Imiquimod
• Keloid (drug therapy, prevention & control, surgery)
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Postoperative Complications (prevention & control)
• Prospective Studies
• Recurrence
• Treatment Outcome