title: Haptens as drugs: contact allergens are powerful topical immunomodulators.
abstract: For the past 40 years, dermatologists have safely used contact sensitizers such as dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP), and squaric acid dibutylester (SADBE) for the treatment of warts, alopecia areata, and even skin cancers. Most of these studies have utilized these powerful topical immunomodulators in acetone, a volatile solvent that precludes development of contact sensitizers as products. We have overcome these problems and stabilized these topical immunomodulators in a non-volatile, nonirritating GRAS (generally regarded as safe) vehicle. The current review article covers the traditional use of contact sensitizers for a variety of benign and malignant conditions and discusses possible mechanisms in relation to developments in modem molecular immunodermatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Aton M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Holzer
authors.forename: Leonard L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Kaplan
authors.forename: William R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Levis
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000506:Alopecia Areata / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006241:Haptens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016410:Lymphoma, T-Cell, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014860:Warts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D006241:Haptens; D007155:Immunologic Factors