ACCEPTED LECTURE

Abstract:
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and among Caucasians worldwide, with more people diagnosed each year than all other cancers combined. Basal cell cancer is the most common form with an estimated 4.3 million cases diagnosed annually, and treatment costs estimated at $4.8 billion. The objective of this study was to compare efficacy of a topical solution consisting of 30% ascorbic acid in 95% dimethylsulfoxide with topical imiquimod in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma. Twenty-five patients with 29 biopsy confirmed basal cell carcinomas were randomly assigned to receive either the topically applied ascorbic acid treatment twice daily for 8 weeks or topical imiquimod, a standard and well characterized topical treatment. After 8 weeks, post-treatment biopsy of lesions showed complete resolution of 13/15 (86.7%) in the ascorbic acid group, while 8/14 (57.1%) lesions in the IMQ group were resolved (p<0.05 Chi Square). Topical ascorbic acid was superior at 8 weeks, and non-inferior at 12 weeks to topical imiquimod in the treatment of low risk nodular and superficial lesions. In addition, ascorbic acid was associated with fewer adverse effects than imiquimod. 70% of patients in theimiquimod group showed residual hypopigmentation at 30mo follow up versus 0% in the ascorbate group. Biography:
Dr. Burke is currently Medical Director for the Center for Biomedical Research, Inc., a non-profit research institute in Boise, Idaho USA. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Connecticut School of Medicine where he was elected to the Sigma Chi Scientific Research Society. His graduate degree was awarded in molecular biology from Yale University. He has practiced clinical medicine for 25 years in addition to research activities. Previous appointments include Adjunct Professor of Chemistry, Boise State University; Boise Veterans Administration Medical Center Research Service investigating molecular mechanisms of cardiotoxicity of anthracyclines; multiple grant awards from the Mountain States Tumor Institute in Idaho. He holds 3 US patents and has published in a variety of research areas over the decades.