Interventions for Actinic Keratosis in Nonscalp and Nonface Localizations: Results from a Systematic Review with Network Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Myriad interventions are available for the treatment of actinic keratosis located on the face or scalp. However, lesions located outside the head and neck have received little attention until now. We aimed to synthesize the current knowledge of interventions for actinic keratosis in nonscalp and nonface localizations. Randomized controlled trials reporting data for these localizations were searched in MEDLINE, Embase, and The Cochrane Library CENTRAL, as well as in pertinent trial registers until 25 March 2020. A total of 13 randomized controlled trials with 1,380 patients were included in a systematic review. Five treatment modalities were evaluated and compared with placebo in a frequentist network meta-analysis, including cryosurgery, ingenol mebutate, photodynamic therapy, colchicine, and 5-fluorouracil. In the network meta-analysis, cryosurgery showed the highest participant complete clearance rates (risk ratio, 7.73; 95% confidence interval= 3.21-18.61; 10 studies; I2= 20.3%; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation,++--) and lesion clearance rates (risk ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval= 2.45-3.59; 4 studies; I2= 0%; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation,++--) compared with placebo. Ingenol mebutate demonstrated the highest participant partial clearance rates compared with placebo (risk ratio, 7.12; 95% confidence interval= 4.36-11.64; 5 studies; I2= 0%; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation,+++-). The mean reduction of lesions and occurrence of adverse events was poorly reported. The certainty of the evidence varied from very low to high and was limited by imprecision and study limitations.