Efficacy of topical tacrolimus 0.1% in active plaque morphea: randomized, double-blind, emollient-controlled pilot study.
Publication year
2009Source
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 10, 3, (2009), pp. 181-7ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
Display more detailsDisplay less details
Organization
Dermatology
Journal title
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology
Volume
vol. 10
Issue
iss. 3
Page start
p. 181
Page end
p. 7
Subject
N4i 4: Auto-immunity, transplantation and immunotherapyAbstract
BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor, is an immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory drug that inhibits T-cell activation and production of cytokines. The elevated level of cytokines in morphea causes fibroblast proliferation and subsequent overproduction of collagen. Theoretically, tacrolimus could inhibit the pathophysiologic process of morphea. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether tacrolimus 0.1% ointment is an effective treatment for active plaque morphea in a double-blind, placebo (petroleum emollient)-controlled pilot study. METHODS: Ten patients with active plaque morphea were included. All patients were treated with tacrolimus 0.1% ointment and with an emollient (petrolatum) on two selected morphea plaques, applied twice daily for 12 weeks. Initial and final assessment included surface area measurements, photography, durometer scores, and clinical feature scores. Adverse reactions were recorded. RESULTS: The scleroderma plaques treated with topical tacrolimus 0.1% improved, resulting in a significant reduction in durometer and clinical feature scores. Overall, a significant difference could be found between topical tacrolimus and petrolatum with regard to durometer score (p < 0.005) and the clinical feature score (p = 0.019). CONCLUSION: In this first double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study comparing tacrolimus 0.1% ointment with petrolatum in active plaque morphea, tacrolimus 0.1% ointment was shown to be an effective treatment for this condition.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [245055]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [93206]
Upload full text
Use your RU credentials (u/z-number and password) to log in with SURFconext to upload a file for processing by the repository team.