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SELECTED ARTICLES FROM THE RECENT LITERATURE 2007
September 10, 2007
Possible roles of topical tacrolimus therapy in several dermatoses
Summary
Background - Tacrolimus (Tac) a calcineurin inhibitor, has been successfully used in the topical treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition, there has been increasing "off-label" uses of topical Tac therapy in several other dermatoses.
Findings - Reports of such dermatologic treatment were reviewed by Rallis et al of the Univ of Athens in Greece. Tac, 0.1% has been found to be effective in seborrheic dermatitis of the face and trunk, facial and intertriginous psoriasis and possibly in some cases of contact dermatitis.
However, Tac treatment has been ineffective in alopecia areata, internal pruritus necrobrosis lipoidica, and hyper-keratotic psoriasis.
Reference
Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007;16:1267-76
Editor's Comments
These findings are of considerable interest and potential future application. The FDA has mandated a warning about the potential for malignancy development during chronic topical Tac treatment but a number of experts feel that the evidence is not strong to support such a warning.
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