Development of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus associated with the use of imiquimod to treat actinic keratoses.
The immunomodulating drug imiquimod is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat actinic keratoses, non-facial superficial basal cell carcinomas and genital warts. This drug elicits its immunological response by binding to toll-like receptor 7 (TLR-7) on dendritic cells inducing the production of interferon alpha (IFN-alpha) and other inflammatory cytokines. The authors report the case of a 56-year-old female who developed subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus (SCLE), as well as severe autoimmune retinitis following a vigorous response to imiquimod 5% cream that was prescribed to treat actinic keratoses. Given the important role of IFN-alpha in the pathogenesis of cutaneous lupus, it is likely that imiquimod either induced or unmasked an autoimmune tendency in this patient.
Burnett
Thomas J
TJ
United States Air Force, WPAFB, OH, USA.
English
Joseph C
JC
Ferris
Laura Korb
LK
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012173:Retinitis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod