Rubigo: Safety in film

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier that has been marketed in the U.S. since 1997, but the topical cream produces many unwanted adverse effects. Rubigo Therapeutics Inc. is developing a polymeric film-delivered imiquimod, Rubigo IQ-Film, to decrease drug-related adverse events and increase compliance in actinic keratosis patients.

Imiquimod, which was discovered by 3M Co. and is now generic, is marketed for actinic keratosis (AK), genital warts and basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist induces targeted cytotoxic effects via local cytokine and chemokine production without evidence of systemic exposure. The local effect is to cause the death of wart tissue and cancer cells but not healthy cells...