Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42053970›Full record

ArticleDermatology and therapy2026

A Prebiotic and Panthenol-Containing Repair Balm Improves Tolerability of Topical 5-Fluorouracil Field Therapy for Actinic Keratoses: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Anne Tseng, Regina Yu, Susan Brown, Nicholas Muller, Samuel X Tan, Edwige Roy, Suzanne Nguyen, Delphine Kerob, Kiarash Khosrotehrani

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Article in Dermatology and therapy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

9 authors.

Anne TsengExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia. anne.tseng@health.qld.gov.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0007-4787-0934
Regina YuExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
Susan BrownExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
Nicholas MullerExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
Samuel X TanExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
Edwige RoyExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
Suzanne NguyenLa Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, Levallois-Perret, France.
Delphine KerobLa Roche-Posay Laboratoire Dermatologique, Levallois-Perret, France.
Kiarash KhosrotehraniExperimental Dermatology Group, Dermatology Research Centre, The University of Queensland, UQ Frazer Institute, TRI, 37 Kent Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTopical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is an effective field therapy for actinic keratoses (AKs) with proven chemopreventive benefit; however, treatment-limiting local skin reactions frequently impair tolerability and adherence in clinical practice. Our objective is to determine whether adjunctive use of a prebiotic and panthenol-containing repair balm (BB5+ repair balm) improves tolerability and treatment adherence to topical 5-FU field therapy for AKs compared with standard of care alone.

methodsWe conducted a single-blind, randomised controlled trial involving adults prescribed topical 5-FU for AKs on the face/scalp or hands/forearms. Participants were randomised 1:1 to standard of care (5-FU twice daily) or intervention (5-FU twice daily plus BB5+ repair balm applied 30 min after 5-FU), stratified by treatment site and immunocompetence. Primary outcomes were treatment adherence, (≥ 42 applications over four weeks) and worst local skin reaction (LSR) score using a validated severity scale. Secondary outcomes included LSR scores at weeks 1-4 and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI).

resultsIn all, 59 participants consented, and 50 completed the study (27 intervention, 23 control). Completion of ≥ 42 applications occurred in 59% of the intervention group and 52% of controls (non-significant). Mean total applications were similar between groups (39.6 versus 39.9). The intervention group demonstrated lower mean worst LSR scores compared with standard care (9.2 versus 10.2) with significantly reduced severity at day 14 (p = 0.0435) and day 21 (p = 0.0054), particularly for face/scalp treatments. DLQI scores were significantly improved in facial treatment subgroups receiving BB5+ repair balm.

conclusionsAlthough adjunctive BB5+ repair balm did not increase overall treatment completion, it significantly reduced local skin reaction severity and improved quality of life, particularly for facial field therapy. Adjunctive barrier repair may enhance tolerability of topical 5-FU and support patient experience during actinic keratosis treatment.

trial registrationThe trial was prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12624000911594).

Indexed as

ChemopreventionClinical trialField cancerisationFluorouracilRepair balmSkin toxicity

Identifiers

PMID42053970
PMCPMC13237422

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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.