title: Role of imiquimod in skin cancer treatment.
abstract: Cancer of the skin is by far the most common form of all cancers. Given the increasing incidence of skin cancer worldwide, it seems feasible to reconsider the treatment options available for dealing with this growing problem. Despite the lower costs associated with classical methods such as surgery and radiotherapy, immune response modifiers such as imiquimod appear to be good candidates for the future given their good cosmetic effects, the possibility of treating large areas, and the simpleness of patient-applied treatment with a cream formulation. This article reviews current literature on the use of imiquimod in the treatment of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Urosevic
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dummer
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D000077271:Imiquimod