Chemoprevention of Keratinocyte Carcinomas

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the use of retinoids in the chemoprevention of keratinocyte carcinomas (KC) and will aim to demystify their use in the clinical arena by offering a practical approach to optimize clinical benefits and minimize adverse effects. The last decade has ushered in a handful of agents with demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of KC including vismodegib, sirolimus, DNA repair enzymes, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors, and capecitabine which will be discussed. Topical imiquimod, 5-fluoruracil (5-FU), and photodynamic therapy have been detailed elsewhere (see Chaps. 2 and 4). Vismodegib is covered in detail in Chap. 22.