Pharmacotherapy of Basal Cell Carcinoma, Anogenital Warts, and Actinic Keratoses: Focus on Topical Imiquimod

Abstract

Imiquimod, an imidazoquinoline compound, has been widely-recognized for its ability to induce both innate and adaptive immune responses. Topical imiquimod has been approved for the treatment of actinic keratoses (AK), external genital warts (EGW), and superficial basal cell carcinoma (BCC). There are reports of many successful off-label uses as well. The pharmacology and mechanisms of action, safety, efficacy, and adverse effects with regards to differing concentrations and dosing regimens are discussed in depth in this chapter. Field-directed therapies for AK along with non-surgical treatments for BCC are rapidly-evolving, with increasing numbers of studies providing evidence-based rationale for their use in management.