Imiquimod cream for skin cancer

• What imiquimod cream does
• Who should use imiquimod cream
• The benefits of using imiquimod cream

Imiquimod cream uses the immune system to attack cancers.  This means it uses the body’s natural defences to kill the cancer cells in the skin.  It does this by releasing a number of chemicals called cytokines.  One of these cytokines is called interferon.  Interferon is a protein that is made naturally as part of the body’s immune response and is used as a cancer treatment.  The idea is that the imiquimod makes cells produce more interferon, and this then destroys the skin cancer cells.

Some small studies in the USA and Australia have shown that this cream may be of great benefit to people with small, early stage BCC.  The trials in these two countries have shown that between 70 and 100 out of every 100 people (70 -100%) who used the cream at least once daily on BCC, had a very good response to it.

Imiquimod is usually used to treat genital warts.  But it has now been approved in the UK for treatment of superficial BCCs that measure up to 2 cm across (diameter).  It can be used for BCC on the trunk, neck, arms and legs (including hands and feet) if the doctor feels it is a more appropriate treatment than surgery.  But it may not be widely available on the NHS yet.  Imiquimod has not been approved for nodular BCC.

Surgery usually cures most people with non melanoma skin cancer. But it can cause scarring. This can change the way you look. Depending on where the scar is and how large it is, changes in the way you look can have a big effect on your self esteem. Imiquimod cream will not cause scarring so has the advantage of better cosmetic results and you can put it on yourself at home. Home application means that you

• Avoid repeated trips to a cancer centre
• Don't have to have an operation
• Avoid the frustration of being on a waiting list for treatment

This could save the NHS money and give specialist skin doctors (dermatologists) more time to treat more difficult BCC’s.

Cancer Research UK funded a 5-year clinical trial to look at the effectiveness of imiquimod cream for both superficial and nodular basal cell carcinoma (BCC) compared to surgery. This trial has now closed and we are waiting for the results.