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Use of Imiquimod Cream 5% in the Treatment of Localized Morphea

2004; SAGE Publishing; Volume: 8; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/s10227-003-0112-2

1615-7109

Jeremy Man, Marlene Dytoc,

Autoimmune Bullous Skin Diseases

Fibrosis is characterized by the increased deposition of collagen and other matrix components by fibroblasts. This process occurs as a reaction to inflammation and is mediated by numerous cytokines including transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta). Localized cutaneous scleroderma or morphea is characterized by fibrosis. Current treatment for morphea includes topical, intralesional, or systemic corticosteroids, vitamin D analog (calcitriol and calcipotriol), photochemotherapy, laser therapy, antimalarials, phenytoin, D-penicillamine, and colchicine, all with varying degrees of success. In this case report, imiquimod cream 5% (Aldara), which induces interferon and in turn inhibits TGF-beta, was employed to treat morphea.