Role of topical therapies in the management of cutaneous disease.
Within the last decade, healthcare providers have had a larger selection of effective novel topical immunomodulatory agents to treat many dermatologic conditions. Novel mechanisms of action of newer topical agents have facilitated differentiation from well-established topical agents such as corticosteroids and 5-fluorouracil. Further, because of a growing understanding of the immune mechanisms within the skin, the opportunity has arisen to use the body's immune system to effectively treat many dermatologic conditions, such as condyloma acuminata, actinic keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and atopic dermatitis, while maintaining a favorable safety profile. Imiquimod 5% cream, an immune response modifier, is safe and effective in the treatment of condyloma acuminata, actinic keratosis, and primary superficial basal cell carcinoma (sBCC). Pimecrolimus cream 1% and tacrolimus ointment (0.1% and 0.03%) are safe and effective in the treatment of atopic dermatitis. This review highlights newer data on approved and investigational indications for these topical immunomodulatory agents.
Skinner
Robert
R
Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA. rollerbob51@aol.com
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000188:drug therapy; D012628:Dermatitis, Seborrheic / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000188:drug therapy; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007642:Keratosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017193:Skin Diseases, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D051193:Toll-Like Receptors; C117268:pimecrolimus; D000077271:Imiquimod; D016559:Tacrolimus