title: Imiquimod in dermatology: an overview.
abstract: Imiquimod is an immune response modifier commercially available as a 3.75 and 5% cream. Topical imiquimod stimulates the innate and adaptive immune responses and induces cytokine production. This allows its use for the treatment of a wide variety of benign and malignant skin conditions due to its potential antiviral, antitumor, and immunoregulatory effects. Currently, topical imiquimod is US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for the treatment of anogenital warts, actinic keratosis, and superficial basal cell carcinomas. However, it has also shown a beneficial effect in the treatment of many other skin disorders. In this review, we describe existing evidence on the mechanism of action of topical imiquimod, its FDA-approved indications, off-label uses, and side effects.
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Edith
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3211-565X
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Rami
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abadi
authors.affiliation: American University of Beirut-Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Ossama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Abbas
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000634:Aminoquinolines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003218:Condylomata Acuminata / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077271:Imiquimod; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000634:Aminoquinolines; D000077271:Imiquimod