title: [Topical immunomodulators in dermatology].
abstract: Immunomodulators include both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive agents. Obligate contact sensitizers such as diphencyprone or dinitrochlorobenzene have been used against viral and autoimmune diseases. Newer agents such as the toll-like receptor agonists imiquimod and resiquimod have been clinically used to treat viral infections and skin cancers in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. On the other hand, the topical immunosuppressive agents tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been used with great success in the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases in children and adults. The introduction of this new class of drugs (i.e. Calcineurin inhibitors) marked the beginning of the post-cortisone era in clinical dermatology. Toll-like receptor agonists and calcineurin antagonists will supplement corticosteroids to improve specific dermatological therapy. Topical immunotherapy with both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive agents show potential for effective and patient-friendly treatment of inflammatory, infectious and neoplastic skin diseases. Long-term evaluation will define the tolerability and the safety profile.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Dermatologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Meykadeh
authors.forename: U R
authors.initials: UR
authors.lastname: Hengge
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D002648:Child; D003521:Cyclopropanes / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018459:Lichen Sclerosus et Atrophicus / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000188:drug therapy; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000188:drug therapy; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D004137:Dinitrochlorobenzene; D007093:Imidazoles; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; C029402:diphenylcyclopropenone; D000077271:Imiquimod; C402365:resiquimod; D016559:Tacrolimus