Combination Therapy With 5-Fluorouracil and Photodynamic Therapy in Post-transplant Premalignant Skin Disease

This randomized, intra-patient comparative study is designed to investigate the combination regimen of 5-fluorouracil cream (5FU) and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT), versus PDT alone, for its ability to generate significantly elevated levels of the target photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX), in lesions of actinic keratoses (AKs) and to more effectively treat and prevent recurrence of AKs. The target population comprises patients with solid organ transplants (renal, hepatic), as well as normal (immunocompetent) subjects to control for possible influences of immunosuppression.

This clinical trial will test a new combination of 5-fluorouracil cream (5FU) and methylaminolevulinate photodynamic therapy (MAL-PDT), versus MAL-PDT alone, as treatment for actinic keratoses (AKs) in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients (OTRs) and an immunocompetent control group. Objectives: 1) Determine whether topical pretreatment with 5-FU selectively increases the amount of photosensitizer (PpIX) produced within AK lesions, relative to non-pretreated lesions. 2) Determine whether the combination treatment improves lesion resolution and reduces the incidence of new AKs. 3) Determine whether biomarkers in tissue and blood are predictive of patient responsiveness to 5FU (PpIX induction, new lesion incidence, and clinical toxicity). We plan to enroll 20 organ transplant recipients and 20 normal patients, with AKs on face, scalp, ears, forearms or back of the hand through Dermatology and Transplant Clinic at Cleveland Clinic. Women of childbearing age must use contraception and have a negative pregnancy test. Study participants will apply 5FU daily for 6 days; MAL/PDT is administered on 7th day. PpIX will be measured in lesions using a noninvasive dosimeter. Biopsies will be taken from selected lesions, and AKs will be photographed. Participants will be asked to complete a questionnaire to document adverse events. Patients are evaluated at day 14, and months 3, 6, 9, 12, to document AK clearance and new lesion appearance.