Imiquimod 5 percent cream and the treatment of cutaneous malignancy

Imiquimod is a novel synthetic compound that is a member of the imidazoquinolone family of drugs. This class of drugs, which also includes a more potent member, resimiquimod (R-848), is unique having the properties of topical immune response modifiers and stimulators. Imiquimod resembles a nucleoside analogue and is known for its potent induction of endogenous antiviral pro-inflammatory mediators. This article is a review of the relevant literature as it relates to the off-label applications of imiquimod 5 percent cream for treatment of cutaneous preneoplastic and neoplastic conditions including its recently approved indication for treating actinic keratoses.