%0 Journal Article
%T First case series on the use of imiquimod for morphoea.
%A Dytoc M
%A Ting PT
%A Man J
%A Sawyer D
%A Fiorillo L
%J Br J Dermatol
%V 153
%N 4
%D Oct 2005
%M 16181467
%F 11.113
%R 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06776.x
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Morphoea is characterized by fibrosis, which is mediated by cytokines including transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Our objective was to use imiquimod 5% cream (Aldara), an inducer of interferon-gamma, known to inhibit TGF-beta, to treat morphoea.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Patients with morphoea were treated with imiquimod and evaluated during their follow-up visits to 6 months.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The dyspigmentation, induration and erythema of 12 patients with morphoea lesions improved. The histology of the skin also showed a decrease in dermal thickness.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This is the first case series describing the successful application of imiquimod in the management of morphoea.