Press Release

Long-term data show Metvix® is safe and effective with superior cosmetic results for skin cancer patients

A new prospective study provides five-year data on Metvix® therapy for BCC lesions.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant skin cancer affecting over 1 million people each year. They are locally aggressive tumours that rarely metastasise (spread to other organs), but destroy surrounding tissue. Recurrence is a problem in the treatment of BCC, with nearly two-thirds of all recurrent BCC lesions appearing in the first 3 years after treatment.

The aim of this 5-year multicentre, randomized, parallel-group, prospective study was to compare the efficacy, safety, and cosmetic outcome of topical Methyl AminoLevulinate (MAL) photodynamic treatment (PDT) with cryotherapy for the treatment of primary superficial BCC.

Equally effective with superior cosmetic outcomes
Results of the study show that MAL-PDT was as effective as cryotherapy with respect to overall lesion complete response at 3 months. At 5 years there was no difference in lesion recurrence rates with either treatment; MAL-PDT showed 22% recurrence versus 20% with cryotherapy (p=0.86). Safety data in the study were also comparable between the two patient groups.

The cosmetic outcome - no scars or marks on the skin - was excellent in 60% of MAL-PDT patients compared with 16% with cryotherapy (p=0.00078).

"These long-term results confirm the use of PDT with Metvix® as a safe and reliable treatment option, with the added cosmetic and healing benefits which are so important to patients", said Kjetil Hestdal, President and CEO of Photocure.

13 centres in 7 European countries
118 patients were treated at 13 centres in the study. The majority of patients had one or two lesions; most lesions were less than 20 mm in diameter and were located on the trunk, neck or extremities.

The study results are published in Basset-Séguin et al 2008.