title: The efficacy of imiquimod on dysplastic lesions of the oral mucosa: an experimental model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the potent efficacy of the immunomodulatory agent imiquimod when applied on dysplastic lesions of the oral mucosa.
  
  
  METHODS
  Carcinogen (DMBA) was applied to the mucosa of the left buccal pouch of 26 male Wistar rats for 8 weeks, until dysplastic lesions were observed and histologically diagnosed. At the second phase of the experiment, 5% imiquimod cream was applied to these dysplastic lesions for 16 weeks. Biopsies were taken before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The histological effect of imiquimod was the regression of mild dysplasia to hyperplasia for all the samples. In one case, a well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was converted to a papilloma-like squamous neoplasm with a benign morphology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that imiquimod may be effective in treatment of precancerous lesions of the oral mucosa and thus inhibit the progress of carcinogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Center of Experimental Surgery, Foundation of Biomedical Research, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gkoulioni
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eleftheriadou
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yiotakis
authors.forename: Eliza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferekidou
authors.forename: Aristidis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chrisovergis
authors.forename: Andreas Ch
authors.initials: ACh
authors.lastname: Lazaris
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kandiloros
mesh_terms: D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002273:Carcinogens; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000077271:Imiquimod; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000077271:Imiquimod