title: First case series on the use of imiquimod for morphoea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Morphoea is characterized by fibrosis, which is mediated by cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Our objective was to use imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara), an inducer of interferon-gamma, known to inhibit TGF-beta, to treat morphoea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with morphoea were treated with imiquimod and evaluated during their follow-up visits to 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dyspigmentation, induration and erythema of 12 patients with morphoea lesions improved. The histology of the skin also showed a decrease in dermal thickness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first case series describing the successful application of imiquimod in the management of morphoea.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T6G 2G3, Canada. research@mdskinhealth.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dytoc
authors.forename: P T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Ting
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Man
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sawyer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fiorillo
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007369:Interferon Inducers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012594:Scleroderma, Localized / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D007369:Interferon Inducers; D000077271:Imiquimod