Levulan® Kerastick®

What is Levulan® Kerastick®

Levulan® Kerastick® is a two step treatment used to treat actinic keratosis (AK) lesions on the face and scalp. AKs are precancerous skin changes cause by sun exposure, and if left untreated, they may develop into skin cancer. Levulan® Kerastick® involves application of a topical solution directly to the AK lesions on the face and scalp. The second step involves exposure of the treated areas to blue light. This is done the next day after the topical solution has been applied. It is important that the treated areas not be exposed to light between the first and second steps. They should be shaded or covered until returning for the second step in the treatment process.

How successful is this treatment?

Clinical studies have shown that 80% of patients had at least 75% of the AKs cleared by the eigth week after treatment. Those AKs that did not clear after the first treatment may be treated again. Success rates are markedly higher for lesions on the face than those on the scalp. About 10% of patients with 100% of their treated AKs cleared had an AK lesion return within 12 weeks after treatment.

**For more information on Levulan® Kerastick®, please visit the Dusa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. web site.