How safe is off-label use of imiquimod in oral lesions?

A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed and Embase, adhering to the principles outlined in the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The search strategy was subsequently registered on PROSPERO.

Articles were chosen based on an analysis of titles and abstracts, with no restrictions on publication date, language, or participant age. In vitro studies, animal studies, and literature reviews were excluded from consideration.

Clinical trials in humans, case reports, or case series that reported the use of imiquimod for treating conditions in the oral or labial mucosa were included in this study. Results from duplicate articles were excluded from the analysis.

Out of a total of 601 references initially identified, only 28 studies were included in the review. These studies were classified based on the use of imiquimod into three groups: potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer, lesions related to HPV, and autoimmune conditions. In all cases presented in the article, there is an occurrence of both local and systemic side effects.

The study elucidated the off-label use of imiquimod in oral pathologies, whether potentially malignant, cancerous, autoimmune, or associated with HPV infection. However, it was observed that further research is warranted for the development of a specific formulation for the oral mucosa, ensuring the drug’s sustained presence at its active site of action without interference from saliva and minimizing potential side effects.