TOPICAL 5-FLUOROURACIL IN THE TREATMENT OF DARIERS-DISEASE

Two patients suffering from therapy-resistant Darier's disease were tr eated with topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The drug was applied in a co ncentration of 1% in a cream base, once daily, in left-right compariso n with either 7.5% salicylic acid in petrolatum or 0.05% vitamin A aci d cream, Both patients were on long-term treatment with oral retinoids . After 1 week of treatment, a considerable improvement was already ap parent on the 5-FU-treated side, in comparison with the salicylic acid - and vitamin A acid-treated sides. Subsequent treatment of all skin l esions with 5-FU for a further 2 weeks resulted in complete clearance of the lesions. Remission periods were of 2-6 months duration. There w ere no significant adverse effects of treatment. Haematological parame ters remained unchanged during the therapy. Topical 5-FU is a safe and useful addition to currently available treatments for Darier's diseas e.