Study Calls Attention to Negative Impact, Need for Treatment of SK

Patients with asymptomatic seborrheic keratosis (SK) are bothered by highly visible skin lesions and are very interested in treatment to improve their appearance, even if a cost were associated with treatment, according to a new study conducted in dermatology practices by Burke, Inc. on behalf of Aclaris.

Results from the study are slated to be presented at the annual Fall Clinical Dermatology Conference in Las Vegas on October 20-23, 2016.

While no SK treatment has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, invasive procedural treatment options include cryosurgery, electrodesiccation, curettage and surgery, Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc. is developing A-101, a proprietary high-concentration hydrogen peroxide topical solution with the potential to become the first FDA-approved treatment for SK. A-101 is about to complete pivotal Phase 3 studies.

The study included 406 patients aged 40-69 with asymptomatic SK lesions in 10 regionally-diverse community dermatology practices who completed questionnaires in their dermatologists’ offices. 

The majority of patients (61 percent) took action to hide, disguise, or deal with their SK lesions (e.g., hiding them with clothes, makeup or hair or picking at lesions so they fall off), the study showed.

Approximately one-third (34 percent) of patients had previously asked their dermatologist about treatment for SK, motivated by concerns about appearance as well as health. Moreover, a vast majority of patients (86 percent) indicated they were somewhat or extremely interested in treatment provided in a dermatologist’s office and were willing to pay a reasonable out-of-pocket fee.

Factors that correlated with higher interest in treatment were the presence of lesions on the face or neck, the study showed.