Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2020 Jan 1:153:54-64.
doi: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.11.002. Epub 2019 Nov 6.

Topical treatments for skin cancer

Jason K Cullen  1 , Jacinta L Simmons  2 , Peter G Parsons  1 , Glen M Boyle  3
Affiliations

Topical treatments for skin cancer

Jason K Cullen et al. Adv Drug Deliv Rev. .

Abstract

Skin cancer is a broad term used to describe a number of different malignant indications of the skin. Skin cancers mostly comprise of the keratinocyte cancers [Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)], and melanoma. Surgical excision of these malignancies has been the preferred treatment of patients for decades. However, the decision to perform surgery can be affected by various considerations, including co-morbidities of the patient, the anatomical site of the lesion and potential intolerance for repeated excisions. Topical treatment of skin cancer may therefore be more appropriate in certain instances. Topical treatment potentially allows for higher drug levels at the tumor site, and may result in less overall toxicity than systemic agents. This review will specifically address the current agents used in topical treatment of skin cancers, and introduce emerging treatments from the natural product field that may also find utility in these indications.

Keywords: Actinic keratosis; Basal cell carcinoma; Lentigo maligna; Melanoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Topical therapy.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Competing Interest J.M.C. - Declaration of interest: recipient of fellowship co-sponsored by QBiotics Group. J.L.S. – Declaration of interest: none. P.G.P. - Declaration of interest: recipient of contract research funding from QBiotics Group; employee and has ownership interests in QBiotics Group. G.M.B. - Declaration of interest: recipient of fellowship co-sponsored by QBiotics Group; recipient of contract research funding from QBiotics Group.

Publication types

MeSH terms