Imiquimod for superficial and in situ skin malignancy.
Imiquimod, an immune response modifier, is marketed as Aldara 5% cream (Meda) and licensed for treating adults with small superficial basal cell carcinomas (BCCs).1 Numerous uses outside the licensed indications (i.e. 'off-label') have been proposed and practised, including as treatment for pre-cancerous conditions such as Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) and lentigo maligna (an in situ precursor of melanoma).2,3 Here we review the use of imiquimod for small superficial primary BCC in adults, Bowen's disease and lentigo maligna.
D000328:Adult; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001913:Bowen's Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D018327:Hutchinson's Melanotic Freckle / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077271:Imiquimod; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000077271:Imiquimod