Topical 1% cidofovir for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma

Cidofovir, a purine nucleotide analogue of deoxycytidine, is a drug effective against a wide number of DNA viruses. Recently, cidofovir has been supposed to exert antineoplastic activity, through the induction of apoptosis and the inhibition of angiogenesis. Four patients affected by basal cell carcinoma (BCC), who refused conventional surgery, were treated with a cream containing 1% cidofovir. The cream was applied every day for 10 days, then every other day for another 50 days. Histopathologic clearing was assessed with a skin biopsy performed on the previous lesional area 3 months after the end of treatment. All four patients achieved clinical healing of their lesion. Histological tumour regression was achieved in three patients. The treatment was well tolerated and the cosmetic results were excellent. No recurrences after an average 24-month follow up period were detected. The potential effectiveness of topical cidofovir for the non-surgical treatment of BCC have been shown. Nevertheless, appropriate clinical trials and prolonged follow-up periods are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of topical cidofovir.