[Imiquimod and immune response modifiers in gynaecology].

Immunomodulators have been used for some time in various medical specialities, but have only recently been used in gynaecology. The first drug in this therapeutic class, Immiquimod (Aldara), has been shown to be effective in treating lesions induced by Human Papillomavirus (HPV) such as genital warts or cervical and vulvar dysplasia, by stimulating the immune system of an infected individual. Thanks to its ease of use and its few side effects, Imiquimod would appear to be, in the future, the treatment of choice for these types of viral infections, alone or in association with therapeutic vaccines or physical abative therapies as a prevention of relapses. This review aims at summarizing and clarifying the mechanism of action of the different immunomodulators, their indications and their effectiveness in gynecologic practice.