The efficacy of imiquimod on dysplastic lesions of the oral mucosa: an experimental model.
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.
Gkoulioni
Vasiliki
V
Center of Experimental Surgery, Foundation of Biomedical Research, Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Eleftheriadou
Anna
A
Yiotakis
Ioannis
I
Ferekidou
Eliza
E
Chrisovergis
Aristidis
A
Lazaris
Andreas Ch
ACh
Kandiloros
Dimitrios
D
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
D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D002273:Carcinogens; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; D000077271:Imiquimod