The role of topical immune response modifiers in skin cancer.

Topical immune response modifiers include imiquimod and resiquimod. The mechanism of action of immune response modifiers is complex and not completely understood. It involves the stimulation of innate and cell-mediated immune responses through Toll-like receptor-mediated induction of cytokines. Imiquimod is approved for the treatment of actinic keratoses, superficial basal cell carcinomas and warts; it has also been documented to successfully treat other forms of skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma in situ, melanoma and extramammary Paget's disease.