IMIQUIMOD

'Imiquimod' (INN, marketed by 3M under the trade name 'Aldara') is a prescription medication.

Contents

Uses

History

Mechanism of action

References

External links

Uses

Imiquimod is a patient-applied cream used to treat certain diseases of the skin, including skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma, Bowen's disease^[1], superficial squamous cell carcinoma, some superfical malignant melanomas and actinic keratosis) as well as genital warts (Condylomata Acuminata). It has also been tested for treatment of Molluscum contagiosum. It causes interferon production which triggers the patient's immune response against these tumors.
It is also used pre-operatively to shrink basal cell cancer and melanoma in situ (especially Lentigo Maligna) before Mohs surgery.
Side effects include redness and irritation of the skin during treatment.

History

The original FDA approval was on February 27, 1997, FDA Application No. (NDA) 020723, by Graceway.
Since then, the label has been revised many times. Adverse side effects have been reported, in some cases serious and systemic. Some patients have been suffering from severe auto-immune or neuro-immune effects for years.

Mechanism of action

Imiquimod activates immune cells via toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7).^[2]

References

1. Successful treatment of perianal Bowen's disease with imiquimod, van Egmond S, Hoedemaker C, Sinclair R, , , Int J Dermatol, 2007
2. Hemmi, H., ''et al.'' Small anti-viral compounds activate immune cells via the TLR7 MyD88-dependent signaling pathway. ''Nat Immunol.''. '2002' ''3''(2):196-200. PMID 11812998.

External links

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★ NPS RADAR

★ Aldara.com