Imiquimod; an international update on therapeutic uses in dermatology.
Imiquimod, the first member of a new class of immune response modifiers, is approved for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts. The clinical effect of imiquimod stems from cytokine-induced activation of the immune system. Topical application of imiquimod elevates the production of cytokines, including the principal cytokine for antiviral activity, interferon-alpha. This is the initial event in an immunological cascade resulting in the stimulation of the innate immune response as well as the cell-mediated pathway of acquired immunity. This immune modification mediates the indirect antiviral, antiproliferative and antitumor activity of imiquimod in vivo. These properties highlight the potential of imiquimod not only as an effective treatment for genital warts, but also as a treatment for other cutaneous viral infections and cutaneous neoplasms.
Tyring
Stephen
S
Department of Dermatology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. Styring@utmb.edu
Conant
Marcus
M
Marini
Mario
M
Van Der Meijden
Willem
W
Washenik
Ken
K
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy; D004266:DNA Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod