Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40817989›Full record

ArticleDermatology and therapy2025

Efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil 4% Cream in the Treatment of Hyperkeratotic Actinic Keratosis: A Single-Center Retrospective Real-World Study.

Federica Li Pomi, Andrea d'Aloja, Marta Vitale, Michelangelo Rottura, Natasha Irrera, Mario Vaccaro, Francesco Borgia

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Federica Li PomiDepartment of Precision Medicine in Medical, Surgical and Critical Care (Me.Pre.C.C.), University of Palermo, 90127, Palermo, Italy.
Andrea d'AlojaDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.
Marta VitaleDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.
Michelangelo RotturaDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.
Natasha IrreraDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Pharmacology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.
Mario VaccaroDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy.
Francesco BorgiaDepartment of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Section of Dermatology, University of Messina, 98125, Messina, Italy. fborgia@unime.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3515-8441

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionActinic keratosis (AK) is recognized as the main precursor of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). Given the unpredictable potential for progression, current guidelines recommend treating all AKs, irrespective of their clinical grade. However, many approved treatments are not indicated for hyperkeratotic AKs. Among topical therapies, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 4% cream (Tolak®/Tolerak®; Pierre Fabre) is a chemotherapeutic agent that has shown excellent results in treating non-hyperkeratotic AKs on the face, ear, and scalp, both in clinical trials and real-life experiences. However, its effectiveness in managing hyperkeratotic AKs remains unexplored.

methodsA retrospective, single-center study was conducted at the Dermatology Unit of the University of Messina, Italy, between September 2024 and March 2025. The study included 66 hyperkeratotic AK lesions in 19 consecutive patients, treated with 5-FU cream for 28 consecutive days.

resultsAt the 3-month follow-up, total clearance (complete lesion resolution) was observed in 54.5% of hyperkeratotic lesions, while partial clearance (> 75% lesion reduction) was recorded in 24.2%. The treatment demonstrated a good safety profile, with good patient tolerability. Among local skin reactions (LSRs), erythema was the most frequently observed, occurring in 89.5% of patients, followed by stinging, which was reported in 73.6% of cases. No patient discontinued the treatment as a result of the onset of adverse events.

conclusionsOur findings, albeit initial, support the efficacy and safety of 5-FU 4% cream for the treatment of hyperkeratotic AKs.

Indexed as

5-Fluorouracil5-Fluorouracil 4% creamActinic keratosisHyperkeratotic actinic keratosisLocal skin reactionsOlsen grade 3

Identifiers

PMID40817989
PMCPMC12454776

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.