Imiquimod in mycosis fungoides.

Abstract

Imiquimod is a topically active imidazoquinoline immunomodulator agent. It works as an indirect antiviral and antitumoral and stimulates the production of INF-alpha and various other cytokines. We assayed topical imiquimod in treating early stages of mycosis fungoides. We applied imiquimod 5% cream in four patients with multi-treatment resistant plaques of MF (stages IA and IIB). We applied it on one patient in association with systemic INFalpha-2a. We observed a complete clinical clearance of the lesions in all four patients. In three cases we achieved a complete histopathological clearance and in one case a partial histopathological clearance. The patient treated with imiquimod and systemic INFalpha-2a showed the most spectacular improvement with a rapid total response. We ascribe this improvement to a synergic effect of imiquimod and systemic INFalpha-2a treatment. Before the introduction of imiquimod, this patient had been treated for 2 years with systemic INFalpha-2a alone, without any evidence of clinical response. Imiquimod could be an effective therapy for early-stage disease of CTCL, used alone or in combination with systemic immunomodulatory therapy.

• Authors: M Covadonga Martínez-González, M Magdalena Verea-Hernando, M Teresa Yebra-Pimentel, Jesús Del Pozo, Marta Mazaira, Eduardo Fonseca
• Journal: European journal of dermatology : EJD (Eur J Dermatol) 2008 Mar-Apr Vol. 18 Issue 2 Pg. 148-52 ISSN: 1167-1122 [Print] France
• PMID: 18424373 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Aminoquinolines
• Immunologic Factors
• Imiquimod

Topics

• Administration, Cutaneous
• Aged
• Aminoquinolines (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Imiquimod
• Immunologic Factors (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mycosis Fungoides (drug therapy, pathology)
• Treatment Outcome