Efforts to counteract locally the effects of systemic immunosupression: a review on the use of imiquimod, a topical immunostimulator in organ transplant recipients.
The potent systemic immunosuppression therapy necessary to sustain a life-saving solid organ transplant is associated with an increased incidence of various infections including human papillomavirus infection and skin cancers in organ transplant recipients. Imiquimod, a topical agent that functions through local induction of a specific anti-viral or anti-tumor immune response, appears to be a promising therapeutic option that could potentially counteract in situ the effects of systemic immunosupression in this vulnerable group. Up-to-date studies using this local immune-response modifier in transplanted patients have yielded reassuring and encouraging results regarding its safety and efficacy in this population. However, in order to establish the use of imiquimod as a standard treatment option for organ transplant recipients, additional research and clinical trials are required.
Trakatelli
M
M
Katsanos
G
G
Ulrich
C
C
Kalabalikis
D
D
Sotiriadis
D
D
Stockfleth
E
E
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects*; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy; D016377:Organ Transplantation; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000188:drug therapy; D014860:Warts / Q000188:drug therapy
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod