Erfolgreiche Therapie der fokalen epithelialen Hyperplasie (M. Heck) mit 5 % Imiquimod

Summary: Imiquimod belongs to the newly identified class of topical immunomodulators called imidazoquinolins. Their mechanism of action involves the stimulation of the innate and adaptive immunity via the induction of INF‐α, TNF‐α, and IL‐12 at the site of application. The resulting Th₁‐immune profile serves to treat viral infections as well as several forms of skin cancer. Besides the licensed indication of condyloma acuminata, common warts, mollusca, basal cell cancer, actinic keratoses and initial squamous cell cancer have been successfully treated in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients. We present the case of an 81‐year old lady who suffered from Heck's disease (focal epithelial hyperplasia) that was successfully treated after 3 applications of 5 % imiquimod under her upper gum prothesis.