Alterations in the inflammatory cells infiltrating basal cell carcinomas during immunocryosurgery.

Immunocryosurgery, the combination modality of a cryosurgery session at day 14 of a 5-week daily imiquimod treatment cycle, has shown remarkable efficacy in the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The modality was designed to exploit synergy of antitumor effects, including the induction of immune responses, elicited by imiquimod and cryosurgery. Herein, we report on the infiltration of the BCC by selected inflammatory cell species during an immunocryosurgery treatment cycle.

Immunocryosurgery for basal cell carcinoma: results of a pilot, prospective, open-label study of cryosurgery during continued imiquimod application.

Background/aim: Theoretical considerations support the combination of cryosurgery and topical imiquimod to treat basal cell carcinomas (BCC). The aim of the present study was to test the feasibility and efficacy of 'cryosurgery during continued imiquimod application' ('immunocryosurgery') to treat 'high-risk-for-recurrence' BCCs.

Methods: Thirteen patients with 21 biopsy-proven tumours (4 of 21 relapses after prior surgery) were included.