SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2004
7/29/04
Effect of tacrolimus treatment for one year on skin collagen
Summary
Background - A major adverse effect of chronic skin therapy with topical corticosteroids (CS) is a decrease in skin collagen synthesis leading to skin atrophy. Such effects have not been seen with relatively short-term therapy of atopic dermatitis (AD) with tacrolimus (Tac). However, less is known about effects of longer duration Tac use.
Findings - Kyllonen et al of the Univ. of Helsinki in Finland compared the effects of one year treatment with topical Tac 0.1% vs. conventional topical CS therapy in 56 adults with moderate to severe AD previously treated chronically with topical CS. In this open label clinical trial, they found that collagen synthesis rates actually increased from baseline in those treated with Tac, with an accompanying increase in skin thickness (p<0.001). In the CS treated patients no effect on collagen synthesis was seen. However, a significant reduction in skin thickness occurred.
Reference
Br J Dermatol 2004;150:1174-81
Editor's Comments
These findings about the lack of atrophy-inducing properties of Tac therapy for one year are encouraging, especially since the Tac-treated individuals had decreased skin collagen synthesis at baseline due to long-term use of topical steroids prior to onset of the study. Indeed, there appeared to be recovery of normal collagen synthesis during Tac treatment. It remains to be seen whether these encouraging findings will occur during Tac treatment for an even longer duration of time
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