Ingenol Mebutate: An Emerging Therapy in the Treatment of Actinic Keratoses

Abstract

Ingenol mebutate gel, derived from the sap of the Euphorbia peplus plant, recently has been investigated as a potential topical treatment for actinic keratoses. The medication is proposed to have a dual mechanism of action: rapid lesion necrosis followed by lesion-specific, neutrophil-mediated, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. A literature review of the data from phase II and III clinical trials reveals that ingenol mebutate gel is an efficacious and safe therapy for actinic keratoses when used on areas of skin up to 25 cm2. Further research is needed to compare directly ingenol mebutate gel to other treatments available for actinic keratoses, as well as to establish safety and efficacy for application on larger areas of skin. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.