Topical immunomodulators for the treatment of external genital warts, cutaneous warts and molluscum contagiosum.
Topical immunomodulators (TIMs) include both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive agents. Newer immunostimulatory compounds such as imidazoquinolines (e.g. imiquimod) act by cytokine secretion from monocytes/macrophages (interferon-alpha, interleukin-12, tumour-necrosis factor-alpha), leading to a Th1-dominance and cell-mediated immunity. This immune milieu has been clinically used to treat viral infections such as human papillomavirus (condyloma and common warts), herpes simplex virus and mollusca in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients.
Hengge
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Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University of Düsseldorf, Moorenstr. 5, D-40225, Düsseldorf, Germany. ulrich.hennge@uni-duesseldorf.de
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D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008976:Molluscum Contagiosum / Q000188:drug therapy; D027383:Papillomaviridae; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod