Immune response modifiers: Imiquimod and future drugs for modulating the immune response

It is recognized that toll-like receptors (TLR) play a critical role in innate and adaptive immunity. Several TLR agonists are in clinical development for treatment of diseases including cancer, infectious diseases, atopic diseases, and for being used as vaccine adjuvants. The approval of the TLR7 agonist Aldara® for use in genital warts, basal cell carcinoma, and actinic keratosis validates the utility of TLR agonists for treatment of multiple diseases.

Section editor:Martin Braddock – AstraZeneca R&D Charnwood, Loughborough, UK