Abstract
Recent developments in the characterization of the receptors and pathways of the innate immune system, and of the mechanisms of activation of adaptive immunity, have opened new possibilities for modulation of the immune response to eradicate neoplasms and to overcome resistant viral infections. The discovery of numerous and varied pattern recognition receptors and their ligands have helped to explain the success of older therapies, and paved the way for the novel immunomodulator, imiquimod, which demonstrates the practical applicability of immunomodulation to cutaneous disease. In this review we summarize current knowledge on the mechanisms of activation of innate immunity to viral disease, available therapies and agents in development for cutaneous antiviral immunomodulation, and the implications of the current restructuring of the understanding of cell-mediated immunity, the desired end point of innate immunomodulation, on future immunomodulatory modalities.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.